Roma in daily talks with Man United for Joshua Zirkzee as clubs shape loan-to-buy deal

Roma have intensified daily talks with Manchester United over Joshua Zirkzee as both clubs work toward a loan-to-buy structure. United prefer either a permanent sale or a loan with an obligation to buy, while Roma are pushing for a loan with an option that could become obligatory based on conditions such as appearances and team objectives. Sources in Italy indicate the framework is advancing, with financial terms and triggers now the focus. Zirkzee, currently at United, would fit Roma’s fluid attacking scheme and offer a high-technical No. 9 profile. Momentum is positive and the clubs are aligning on the pathway to a green light.

Ongoing negotiations between Manchester United and AS Roma have been reported by leading Italian outlets, notably Sky Italia, describing daily contacts and converging positions on a loan with option-to-buy that can turn into an obligation under specific performance criteria. The pace of talks has accelerated across the current window, with both clubs working on fee structure, add-ons and conditional triggers to satisfy their respective strategies.

🚨 NEW: Roma are in daily talks with United for Joshua Zirkzee. United prefer a permanent transfer or a loan with an obligation to buy, while Roma are pushing for a loan with an option to buy that could become obligatory under certain conditions. [Sky Italy]

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

This potential move could be quietly decisive for both clubs. For Roma, Zirkzee delivers a rare blend of link play, first touch security and press resistance that suits Daniele De Rossi’s preference for a mobile front line. He can drop to receive, connect the interior midfielders, and still arrive in the box late. That profile would balance Roma’s chance creation and reduce the team’s reliance on solo moments from the tens and wide forwards. He also fits Serie A’s rhythm, where smart movement and combinations in tight zones decide games.

For United, the logic is more strategic. A loan-with-conditions would protect value while creating space in a crowded forward group and opening budget for areas of need. If the obligation triggers, United secure a meaningful fee aligned to usage and performance. If not, they retain a developed asset. Either outcome reads as coherent squad planning. Importantly, this structure avoids a straight discount sale in a compressed winter market.

From a sporting angle, Zirkzee’s minutes have fluctuated and a Roma spell could unlock continuity. For De Rossi, a forward who draws defenders and frees the half spaces will raise the ceiling of Roma’s attack immediately. The upside here is clear: Roma gain a technical focal point, United gain flexibility and financial clarity. That is why this one has momentum.

Reaction

Fan sentiment is split but lively. Some United supporters underline squad depth and argue to keep Zirkzee unless a replacement is lined up, echoing takes like “I think he should stay, our squad depth is bad” and “If we can’t get a replacement then better keep Zirkzee.” Others insist a permanent exit is cleaner if the price is right, calling for a full sale rather than a soft loan. There’s also pushback on the idea that United must move the player, with replies mocking the notion that the club is desperate to sell.

On the Roma side, excitement is growing. Posts celebrating Zirkzee’s celebrations and skill set point to the fit: a technical striker who can knit attacks together and finish. Neutral voices highlight the negotiation nuance, noting United’s preference for an obligation and Roma’s for an option that flips to mandatory only under certain targets. Meanwhile, unrelated but telling, United fans continue to buzz around young talents like Kobbie Mainoo, a reminder that the club’s rebuild has multiple strands.

Overall, the thread reads like a classic January debate: protect depth or bank value. The prevailing mood, though, is that a smartly structured deal can satisfy both clubs if the triggers are sensible.

Social reactions

Why do they want to sell him tho??

HEALZ (@HEALZ398)

I think he should stay, our squad depth is bad

Weks_Official (@official_weks)

Great shot of Joshua Zirkzee celebrating! Looks like a key goal for United. Roma’s loan talks seem tricky—United want a permanent deal. Exciting times!

it's sai rose (@14764Sairose)

Prediction

The most likely path is a loan with an option-to-buy that converts to an obligation if Zirkzee hits appearance thresholds and Roma reach team objectives, coupled with achievable add-ons. Expect a modest loan fee up front and a pre-agreed total package that reflects his age and upside. Paperwork can move fast once the trigger language is signed off, with medicals scheduled quickly to meet registration deadlines.

Alternative scenario: United accept a permanent transfer if Roma step up with a guaranteed fee that matches internal valuation. That would remove conditional risk and give United instant budget clarity, but it requires Roma to stretch now rather than pay later.

Lower probability: talks stall over the exact conditions for an obligation and Zirkzee stays put for depth. Even then, the groundwork laid this week would roll directly into the next window. Given the tone of conversations and the alignment on structure, confidence is high that a compromise emerges, with Roma landing a modern 9 and United locking in protective value through clear performance triggers.

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Conclusion

This is trending toward a win-win. Roma get the profile De Rossi wants up top - a forward who sets the tempo, protects the ball, and links everything - while United secure an exit plan that does not undersell the asset. The gap has narrowed from theoretical frameworks to practical clauses, which is when deals usually get done. Daily contact, clear structure, and aligned incentives are the tells I look for in January. They’re all here.

If the obligation rests on reasonable minutes and team targets, Roma will back themselves to trigger it through performance. United, in turn, will welcome a fee that matches the player’s market curve. The fans’ concerns about depth are valid, but the club’s stance signals confidence in the broader forward plan. Unless something left field appears, expect a green light once the final language on triggers and add-ons is locked. Zirkzee to Roma looks close and, on football terms, it makes perfect sense.