The true cost of cashing in on Joshua Zirkzee in January 2026

Joshua Zirkzee is having a hard time at Manchester United, having struggled to establish himself in the squad since arriving in summer 2024 under Erik ten Hag.

Reports at the time suggested that ten Hag was against buying him, causing a reluctance to use him, especially given that he reportedly arrived at Carington out of shape, so struggled to immediately get into the squad.

However, with Rasmus Hojlund being inconsistent as a first-choice striker, Zirkzee was still given his chance to show what he can do.

Last season the striker made 49 appearances, grabbing seven goals and three assists; however, with talented striker Benjamin Sesko having arrived from RB Leipzig for £74 million, Zirkzee isn’t getting a look in.

During the 2024/25 campaign, Zirkzee was also being used in the number 10 slot, behind the striker, on occasion, however, proven Premier League duo Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have joined United this summer as the first choices to the roles.

As such, Zirkzee has fallen down the pecking order in both positions he could play, seeing the former Netherlands international struggle for gametime under Ruben Amorim.

In a bid to get more minutes on the pitch, and therefore reclaim his spot in the national squad which he’s lost since joining United, Zirkzee is looking at a move away from Old Trafford this January.

However, there are some huge implications should United look to offload the attacker, which we’re now going to take a look at.

Firstly is the squad depth. Although Zirkzee is the back-up to both the striker and attacking midfield/second striker roles, so there’s no immediate impact to him going, he is a rotational option for Amorim.

Admittedly, with no European football and therefore less need for rotation, this shouldn’t have as big an impact, however, given the injury woes The Red Devils have faced over the last two years, anything could happen so options are needed.

On top of that, the Africa Cup of Nations is set to start on 24th December 2025, lasting until 18th January 2026 for the final.

As such, United are expecting to be without Bryan Mbeumo who’ll be playing for Cameroon, Amad Diallo who’ll represent Ivory Coast and Noussair Mazraoui who plays for hosts Morocco.

While the absence of Mazraoui doesn’t have an immediate knock-on to Zirkzee, Mbeumo is the first choice right number 10, with Diallo as another back-up to the role, as well as being the first-choice right-wing-back.

As such, with the pair out, this leaves the senior squad options to cover the right number 10 as being Mason Mount, Joshua Zirkzee, possibly Kobbie Mainoo, or Bruno Fernandes, however Fernandes moving up the pitch would require filling his spot alongside Casemiro with either Mainoo or Manuel Ugarte.

As such, that leaves limited options should anything happen to Cunha who has already picked up a knock this season, or Mount who has been in and out of the Carington treatment room continuously since arriving from Chelsea in 2023.

It’s recently been reported that because of the fears over the squad depth, United are planning on blocking any January transfer bids, with Zirkzee and Mainoo both reportedly wanting a move away for gametime.

However, that said, the right price could always tempt The Red Devils to go back on their plans, as unlikely as that is.

Whilst Zirkzee still holds a lot of interest in Italy after his successful spell with Bologna, with sides like Como and AS Roma interested in the striker, getting a good price is unlikely.

United bought the 24-year-old for £36 million last summer, when his valuation as calculated by Transfermarkt was £43 million, making it a good deal.

However, with the lack of play time and poor performances, Zirkzee’s valuation has now dropped to £24 million, and with his contract in place until 2029 and being out of favour, United don’t hold much power going into negotiations.

So, lets say United get the £24 million for him, that’s a £12 million loss on the former Netherlands international, with the transfer fee unlikely to fully cover a replacement signing.

Ultimately, despite his lack of involvement this season so far, a sale of Zirkzee at the start of January, or even a loan for that matter, could prove more costly to United given the loss of Mbeumo and Diallo over the festive period.

However, as long as Mbeumo and Diallo return from the Africa Cup of Nations unscathed, a loan for the second half of the season could be a good move to get the striker more game time and more confidence, potentially leading to a better selling position in the summer.