Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is reported to have emerged as a summer transfer option for Champions League finalists Inter.
Zirkzee arrived at Old Trafford last summer for around £36.5m following an impressive spell at Bologna, during which the Serie A side surprisingly secured Champions League qualification.
The Dutchman, not truly an out-and-out striker, scored on his Premier League debut off the bench against Fulham on the opening day of the season back in August, but has struggled to find a consistent role in a team that has underperformed around him.
Recruited by Erik ten Hag, a change in head coach has also brought challenges, although there has been promise as one of the split No.10s in Ruben Amorim’s tactical setup.
Corriere dello Sport suggests that Inter could look to take Zirkzee back to Italy, their chances perhaps strengthened if United don’t win the Europa League final next week and are therefore on a more limited budget without any European football, and the revenue it brings, on the horizon.
The report claims that Zirkzee has “lost value” since last summer, while Inter wouldn’t have an issue meeting his salary demands. About to turn 24, he is also young enough to fit the long-term “vision”.
Inter are said to be weighing up several options to boost their attack, with Zirkzee just one. He could be an alternative to Nico Paz, who has impressed this season for Como but may wind up being forced back to Real Madrid by a buy-back clause.
Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori and Ange-Yoan Bonny from Parma are among the others under consideration.
Zirkzee’’s debut season with United been cut short through injury, with both he and Rasmus Hojlund facing uncertainty given that the club are widely believed to be pursuing a new striker in the hunt for a reliable goalscorer.
