Fiorentina Leads Juventus in Zirkzee Pursuit

Fiorentina have moved in front of Juventus in the chase for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, with the Italian club now seen as closer to striking a deal for the Dutchman.

United are prepared to let the 25-year-old leave before the end of the summer window after two frustrating years at Old Trafford. Zirkzee started only five Premier League games last season and did not get off the bench in United’s opening league fixture of the 2026-27 campaign against newly-promoted Hull City.

His route back into the side has narrowed again. Marcus Rashford has returned from his loan spell at Barcelona, adding another obstacle in an already crowded attacking department and pushing Zirkzee further down Erik ten Hag’s pecking order.

Serie A remembers him differently. Zirkzee hit 11 league goals in his final season with Bologna in 2023-24, form that convinced both Juventus and Fiorentina to explore bringing him back to Italy.

Juventus remain in the hunt for another attacker, but their move is on hold. They need to offload Jonathan David before they can properly commit to a deal for Zirkzee, a delay that has opened the door for Fiorentina.

La Viola, by contrast, need a replacement now. Italy international Moise Kean is on the verge of joining Champions League side Como in a €40m transfer, leaving a gap at the top of Vincenzo Italiano’s attack.

That urgency has shifted the dynamics. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina are currently in the stronger position to reach an agreement with Manchester United, while Juventus watch and wait.