Introduction

In a surprising turn of events at Manchester United, new manager Ruben Amorim may be willing to let striker Joshua Zirkzee leave the club as early as January. Reports suggest that a potential swap deal involving prolific Serie A striker Dusan Vlahovic could be on the table, raising eyebrows among fans and pundits alike.

Zirkzee's Performance at Manchester United

Zirkzee, a Dutch international, joined Manchester United from Bologna in a hefty £36.5 million (approximately €42.5 million, $46.9 million) transfer during the summer, marking the inaugural signing of the INEOS era at Old Trafford. After impressing in Italy, expectations were high for the 23-year-old to become a crucial part of United’s attacking front alongside Rasmus Hojlund, who had been showing promise in his initial season.

However, after scoring on his debut, Zirkzee's performance took a downward spiral. With just one goal from 14 appearances across all competitions, he now finds himself under heavy criticism. Rumors have surfaced indicating that the player arrived at pre-season training overweight, leading to speculation that former manager Erik ten Hag was reluctant to bring him on board in the first place.

Swap Deal Rumors

Adding fuel to the fire, Italian pundit Massimo Orlando has backed a potential reunion between Zirkzee and his former coach Thiago Motta at Juventus, suggesting that a swap with Vlahovic, who has scored 102 goals in his career, could be a viable option. 'Motta is not particularly satisfied with Vlahovic, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see changes in January,' Orlando mentioned during an interview.

United's Stance on Zirkzee

However, despite the swirling rumors, respected journalist Florian Plettenberg from Sky Germany insists that Manchester United does not plan to offload Zirkzee anytime soon. 'Confirmed once again that Joshua Zirkzee leaving is absolutely not an option,' Plettenberg asserted. 'United wants to keep him, and he is determined to prove himself. His contract runs until 2029.'

Adding to this sentiment, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano declared that Zirkzee is happy at United and committed to proving his worth despite taking time to adjust to the pace of the English game. 'He was fantastic in Italy but strongly wanted to join Manchester United,' Romano stated, hinting that Zirkzee’s focus remains firmly on his current club.

Manchester United's Goalscoring Issues

However, United's struggles to find the back of the net this season cannot be ignored—the team has only managed nine goals in their first ten Premier League matches. This pressing issue has led to speculation surrounding the potential addition of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, who could quickly address the Red Devils’ goalscoring woes.

Manager's Cautious Approach

While Amorim has hinted at his interest in Gyokeres, he remains cautious about discussing the matter publicly. 'If I start joking about this Gyokeres situation, I’ll get in trouble,' he quipped, but it’s clear that his club decisions are shaping up to have significant ramifications going forward.

Additional Transfer Rumors

Additionally, Amorim is rumored to have his sights set on two more standout players from Sporting CP, with estimates suggesting that a combined transfer could cost United upwards of £201 million. Moreover, the Red Devils are apparently considering a cut-price bid for Barcelona defender Andreas Christensen, indicating that the club is actively looking to bolster its squad in the upcoming transfer window.

Conclusion

As the January transfer market approaches, all eyes will be on Manchester United and whether they can turn their season around with strategic acquisitions or if they will part ways with Zirkzee in what could be a significant reshaping of their frontline. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding saga!