Zirkzee stance on Man Utd exit emerges as Bologna open door to return | OneFootball

Corriere dello Sport reports that Joshua Zirkzee sees a potential Manchester United exit in January as a ‘personal defeat’ while his former club Bologna have opened the door to a possible return.

Bologna are open to welcoming back Zirkzee in the January transfer window, according to a report from Corriere dello Sport.

The Dutch striker left Stadio Dall’Ara last summer to join Manchester United in a deal worth more than €40m.

Zirkzee stance on Man Utd exit emerges as Bologna open door to return

Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United heads towards the changing room after been substituted after 33 minutes during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Newcastle United FC at Old Trafford on December 30, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

However, Zirkzee has scored only four goals in 28 appearances across all competitions this season, and his January exit from Old Trafford is a possibility.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Bologna directors informally told Zirkzee that they’d be open to his return on loan this month, but Manchester United won’t discuss a temporary transfer.

On the other hand, Sky Sport Italia claims that a loan deal with an obligation to buy would be enough to convince Manchester United, but the Italian broadcasters mention Juventus as the only Serie A club interested in Zirkzee this month.

Corriere dello Sport adds that Zirkzee would be tempted to reunite with his ex-coach Thiago Motta in Turin, but at the same time, he’d see a January exit from Manchester United as a personal defeat.

Source: Corriere dello Sport newspaper, January 8, 2025, page 19.