Fiorentina in talks with Man United over Zirkzee loan

What the report says

Fiorentina are in discussions with Manchester United about taking Joshua Zirkzee on loan, according to BBC Sport Football. The proposed move would run until the end of the season and include an option to make it permanent next summer. The Netherlands forward is understood to be open to joining the Serie A club, and the talks are said to involve a possible agreement before the 1 September transfer deadline.

BBC Sport reports that Zirkzee, 25, still has three years left on his Manchester United contract. He joined United from Bologna in 2024 for £36.5m after a strong spell in Italy, where he had previously played for Parma and Bologna. He scored on his debut for United against Fulham, but has found it difficult to secure a regular starting role at Old Trafford.

The BBC says the deal is not close yet, but there is optimism that it could be completed. Zirkzee has made 75 appearances for United over two seasons, with nine goals in all competitions, and only five Premier League starts in the 2025-26 campaign. For Fiorentina, the move would be a chance to add a player with prior Serie A experience; more broadly, it reflects how clubs are using loan deals and optional purchase clauses to manage squad building in the transfer market.