Manchester United slash asking price by £15m after player asks to leave | Football

Manchester United have slashed their asking price for Joshua Zirkzee after the £36.5m transfer flop asked to leave Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag welcomed Zirkzee to United in 2024 after being left impressed by his form in Serie A with Bologna.

Zirkzee, 24, hit double figures in his final season in Italy but has failed to reach those heights in Manchester, scoring just five Premier League goals over the past two seasons.

The Netherlands international was heavily linked with a move away from Old Trafford last summer but ended up staying as United instead moved on Rasmus Hojlund.

Zirkzee was again linked with an exit during the January transfer window but was not blown away by an offer and therefore decided to stay and fight for his place in the United team.

Not even a change in manager has helped Zirkzee revive his Red Devils career, however, with the forward failing to start a single game since Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the hot-seat.

Having failed to win back a place in the team, Zirkzee has now come to the realisation that a summer move is in the best interests of all parties.

Roma were at the front of the queue to sign Zirkzee in January and were in talks with Manchester United over an initial loan with an obligation to buy for around £35m.

The Italian club remain interested in a deal but face new competition from Serie A rivals Juventus, who are said to be ‘intrigued’ by the possibility of signing Zirkzee.

Zirkzee’s agent Kia Joorabchian has reportedly made it clear to other clubs that a summer move is a real possibility, with Tuttosport claiming he will cost around £20m.

Netherlands legend Ruud Gullit believes Zirkzee made a mistake joining Manchester United and has repeatedly urged his compatriot to find a new club.

‘I saw that Roma maybe wanted to take him and I hope that he will leave Manchester United,’ Gullit said in January.

‘For me, there was always a doubt that it was the right decision to go there. I think he should have stayed in Serie A. He was doing well with Bologna.

‘I think he should have gone to a better team in Italy. For him it would have been much better.

‘Look at Scott McTominay. It is unbelievable how well McTominay has done since he left Old Trafford. It’s incredible, it’s fantastic to watch.

‘At United he was more like a 12th man, than he was a player and look how he has flourished, just playing every game is so important.’

Manchester United clinched a crucial 3-1 win over top-four rivals Aston Villa last time out and return to Premier League action on Friday night against Bournemouth.

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