Fiorentina in Talks for Joshua Zirkzee Loan from Manchester United

Fiorentina are in talks with Manchester United over a loan move for forward Joshua Zirkzee, with an option to buy at the end of the season.

The proposed deal would see the Netherlands international head to Serie A on an initial loan until next summer, with Fiorentina able to make the transfer permanent in 2026. While the clubs are not yet close to a full agreement, there is growing optimism on all sides that the move can be completed before the 1 September transfer deadline.

Crucially, Zirkzee is open to the switch. The 25-year-old, who still has three years left on his United contract, is prepared to leave Old Trafford in search of more regular football and a central role in Florence.

United signed Zirkzee from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m after a standout campaign in Italy, where he was named Serie A's Under-23 player of the season for 2023-24. He arrived with momentum and marked his debut with the only goal in a 1-0 win over Fulham, hinting at a breakthrough that never fully materialised.

Since then, his United career has stalled. Across two seasons he has managed just 27 starts in 75 appearances in all competitions, struggling to nail down a consistent place in the starting XI. Last season underlined that slide: only five Premier League starts in 2025-26 and nine goals in total for the club.

Now, with time still on his side but opportunities shrinking in Manchester, a return to Serie A offers a familiar stage and a fresh verdict on his potential.