Joshua Zirkzee is Gasperini's top target at Roma, but another Serie A giant have entered the race for Manchester United striker.
There is a Roma vs AC Milan battle behind the scenes that should be fierce in the transfer market about to open. At stake is the signing of Joshua Zirkzee, current Manchester United striker.
The 24-year-old Dutch player has been pointed out as Gasperini's priority for the Giallorossi in the next window, but Milan have just entered the dispute and could disrupt their rivals' plans, as reported by Gazzetta dello Sport.
Milan AC eye Zirkzee for winter move
The publication found that Zirkzee fits the profile desired by manager Massimiliano Allegri. A penalty box striker, who can arrive on loan and does not have the expectation of being an absolute starter in the team. The requirements also placed Mauro Icardi, from Galatasaray, and Niclas Fullkrug, from West Ham, amongst the Rossoneri targets.
The centre-forward options at the manager's disposal for now are Christopher Nkunku, formerly of Chelsea, and Santi Gimenez, formerly of Feyenoord, who is recovering from injury. Nkunku has one goal and one assist in 12 appearances this season, whilst Gimenez has one goal and two assists in 11 appearances.
IMAGO / Marco Canoniero
According to Gazzetta, the duo's performance in terms of goals is “disappointing” and would reportedly have led Milan to the market in search of solutions. It is possible that the arrival of Zirkzee or another player with similar characteristics will culminate in the Mexican's departure.
“The feeling is that Gimenez's trajectory at Milan is complicated, and there are some German clubs interested,” the article highlighted.
Zirkzee's United struggles raise questions
Zirkzee would also not be a 100 percent safe transfer given his below-expected performance at Manchester United. He agreed terms with the Red Devils last July for around €42m (£36m), and has registered only eight goals and three assists in 58 matches. This season, he has scored just one goal in nine matches – three as a starter.
Both Milan and Roma rely on the fact that the Dutchman lived magical days in a Bologna shirt and knows Italian football well. He recorded 14 goals and nine assists in 58 matches with the Rossoblu.
It is likely that United will only agree to a potential Zirkzee transfer at the end of the January transfer window. This is because Mbeumo and Diallo should be at the Africa Cup of Nations and be unavailable to the team for part of the first month of 2026.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
