Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Joshua Zirkzee’s January move to AS Roma is now close to being finalized, according to Italian media outlet Gazzetta du Sport reporting that the deal is indeed “done”, just awaiting the final stages of negotiations between the two clubs.
The Dutch striker is expected to leave Manchester United in search of regular playing time, with Roma identifying him as a key addition for the second half of the Serie A season.
Roma see Zirkzee as a direct replacement for Evan Ferguson, whose loan spell at Brighton & Hove Albion could be cut short next month.
With Ferguson struggling for consistency and fitness, the Roma hierarchy have moved quickly to find an alternative option who can immediately contribute to the attack.
Joshua Zirkzee wants to play more this season
Zirkzee’s situation at Man United is far from ideal this season. The 23-year-old has struggled for minutes and has scored just once in 11 appearances in all competitions, a goal scored in the 2-1 win over Crystal Palace last month.
Despite flashes of quality, he has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter, with fierce competition across United’s forward line.
Under United coach Ruben Amorim, the tactical preference fell on Benjamin Šeško as the central figure of the attack.
This further limited Zirkzee’s opportunities, prompting the Dutchman to reassess his options with an eye on his international future.
With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Zirkzee wants to secure consistent playing time to increase his chances of playing for the Netherlands. A move to Rome offers just that.
The Man United star has past experience in Serie A
Crucially, the striker already has experience in Serie A, having already impressed during his time at Bologna.
This familiarity with Italian football is a major factor in Roma’s confidence in the deal.
Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini is eager to add depth and versatility to his attacking options as the club fights for a strong title challenge in the second half of the season.
Gasperini believes Zirkzee’s ability to drop deep, combine with midfielders and create space for others can add a new dimension to Roma’s advanced play.
For Zirkzee, this is an opportunity to return to a league where he previously thrived and to remind Europe of the talent that made him one of Serie A’s most high-profile young strikers.
Journalist explains why Man United pulled the plug on deal for Semenyo
