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25 August 2026

Laurie Whitwell has disclosed that three unnamed Premier League clubs have registered an interest in Joshua Zirkzee.

As well as those English teams, Como and Juventus are willing to offer the Manchester United forward a path back to Serie A, where he spent two years with Bologna before completing his £36.5 million move to Old Trafford.

With the transfer window entering its final week, Manchester United are understood to have the Baleba deal fully wrapped up, have looked at Hall for next summer, are exploring a loan move for Balde, know that Atletico are in for Salinas, could yet end up with no new left-back, and would consider strikers if Zirkzee leaves.

If Zirkzee does move on, the expectation is that a new striker would be signed, although time is fast running out to get all the necessary details sorted.

United would need an offer they deem acceptable for the Dutchman to arrive this week, which would then leave them only a few days to search the market for an affordable replacement.

It was recently reported that Aston Villa had made enquiries over a possible move for Zirkzee amid uncertainty surrounding Ollie Watkins' future.

However, matters have not advanced beyond that initial contact, and the Midlands club have today stepped up their pursuit of Jean-Philippe Mateta, which could put an end to any further talks between Villa and United.

Zirkzee was an unused substitute for the Reds in their season opener away at Hull City.

His record under Michael Carrick now reads 10 appearances, one start and only 127 minutes in total, while he has also remained an unused substitute in six full matches.

Given that situation, it would be understandable if the 25-year-old were to consider a late-summer exit, particularly if it appears he could be facing the same scenario for the rest of the season.

It is still unclear which of the available options would appeal to him most — whether he would prefer to remain in the Premier League and take on a bigger role elsewhere, or head back to Italy and try to rebuild his form and career in more familiar surroundings.