Roma make Joshua Zirkzee a priority as Man United weigh call - Napoli push to loan Kobbie Mainoo

Roma have stepped up their pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee and are positioning the Dutch forward as a priority target, with movement hinging on Manchester United’s stance. At the same time, Kobbie Mainoo is drawing strong loan interest across Europe, with Napoli among the clubs pushing hardest for weeks. United are assessing depth and minutes before green-lighting any exit. Early Thursday updates around Carrington and Italy point to busy talks, while chatter about goalkeeper availability during AFCON has fans debating squad cover. Expect swift developments as Roma press for clarity on Zirkzee and Napoli seek to secure priority on Mainoo if United open the door.

The update emerged on Thursday morning UK time as club-side briefings in Manchester and Rome aligned on Roma’s intent for Joshua Zirkzee and on multi-club interest in a potential Kobbie Mainoo loan. Separate broadcast coverage in England highlighted Manchester United’s midfield rotations and Mason Mount’s recent influence, while in Italy, contacts close to recruitment discussions signalled Napoli’s continued push. Social chatter around goalkeeper availability during the Africa Cup of Nations added urgency to United’s squad planning. No formal bids had been publicly confirmed at the time of writing, but intermediaries describe active talks, with timelines set around the upcoming window.

🚨 JUST IN: Joshua Zirkzee remains a priority target for Roma - but this depends on what Manchester United want to do. Kobbie Mainoo also would love to go out on loan, around 10 clubs are interested in him, Napoli are one of the clubs who have even pushing for weeks and weeks.

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

If Manchester United sanction movement, Roma’s play for Joshua Zirkzee fits Daniele De Rossi’s brief perfectly. Zirkzee’s profile - a mobile target who links play, pins center-backs and drops to knit midfield lines - dovetails with Roma’s need for a selfless 9 to unlock their wide creators and late-running midfielders. Serie A’s tempo will give him the platform for intelligent movement and close control in tight zones. With the right service, his double-digit goal potential holds, but the real upgrade is progressive sequences and chance creation. Roma’s shot quality should rise, and De Rossi can flex between a 4-2-3-1 and a narrow front three without losing structure.

For United, any Zirkzee decision is inseparable from squad depth. Approving a move implies confidence in internal solutions and fitness across the front line. Meanwhile, a carefully chosen loan for Kobbie Mainoo could be a win-win if - and only if - United secure minutes back home through reliable rotation or a short-term addition. Napoli’s case is compelling: high-intensity Serie A minutes, strong tactical schooling, and a pathway in a midfield that values press resistance and line-breaking carries. A six-month or season-long stint could accelerate Mainoo’s decision-making and defensive positioning while preserving his technical strengths.

Overlaying all this is the winter calendar. Any uncertainty around goalkeeper availability during AFCON tightens the margin for error. United must keep options open, time approvals late, and protect dressing-room balance. Get it right, and they can bank development upside for Mainoo and market leverage on Zirkzee while staying competitive on multiple fronts.

Reaction

Initial fan traffic splits into three lanes. First, excitement in Rome: supporters see Zirkzee as the elegant focal point they’ve been missing, a forward who elevates Paulo Dybala-style combinations and gives wingers a reliable wall pass. The tone is confident, bordering on impatient, with many asking if an initial loan with a buy option can speed things up.

Second, United fans are cautious. A morning post from club channels sparked speculation, but the prevailing question is simple: has any club actually submitted a formal offer? There is also a protective stance around Mainoo. Many view him as untouchable and crucial for United’s medium-term identity. Even those open to a loan want guarantees on minutes and role clarity.

Third, a practical thread cuts through the noise: winter congestion and AFCON. Some supporters worry about squad thinning if multiple moving parts align at once. Others push back, noting recent positive data points on Mason Mount’s impact and the club’s improved fitness picture. The consensus mood: intrigued but demanding transparency, with Napoli’s persistence taken seriously and Roma’s intent seen as genuine.

Social reactions

squad depth getting slimmer with AFCON in hand... what's to become of us if these players go?

MANN YANITED 🔴😎 (@MannYanited)

Has any club made an actual offer?

ThinkFirst (@Kaukauna7404)

🚨 JUST IN: Andre Onana will NOT feature at the African Cup of Nations in the latest devastating twist for the goalkeeper, according to insider sources. Samuel Eto’o, who recently marked his fourth year as president of FECAFOOT, is locked in a bitter feud with national team

UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive)

Prediction

Most likely scenario: Roma push for an agreement structured as a loan with option or obligation triggered by appearances or continental qualification. United keep the final word until late in the window, using time to stress-test forward depth and guard against injuries. If a domestic cup draw is kind and the medical room stays quiet, approval arrives and Zirkzee heads to Serie A, instantly rotating as a starter under De Rossi.

For Mainoo, the pathway hinges on United adding or rebalancing midfield minutes. Should a senior reinforcement land or a tactical tweak free up a slot, a carefully curated loan becomes viable. Napoli remain near the front of the queue due to weeks of groundwork and a clearly defined role. If United hesitate, expect a short pause and a revisited conversation in the final 72 hours of the window when leverage peaks.

AFCON-related uncertainty nudges United toward conservative timing rather than outright refusal. Expect contingency clauses, recall options, and performance triggers to be baked into any outgoing terms. Net outcome: Zirkzee to Roma looks warm, Mainoo’s loan sits on a conditional green, and United’s board keeps a tight lid on risk.

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Conclusion

Roma’s intent is clear and the fit for Joshua Zirkzee is obvious. The mechanics now rest with Manchester United, who will decide based on availability and the comfort they have with their attacking options for the winter block. If the green light comes, Roma land a forward who raises their ceiling immediately, not just in goals but in how they progress the ball and control transitions.

With Kobbie Mainoo, United’s responsibility is twofold: protect a cornerstone asset and accelerate his development at the right intensity. Napoli’s pitch ticks the right boxes, but only if United can absorb the minutes he leaves behind. That is solvable with smart rotation or a short-term addition. The wider context - from fixture load to goalkeeper logistics during AFCON - explains the measured tempo of decisions.

Bottom line: expect movement. Roma are pushing at pace for Zirkzee, and Napoli are not going away on Mainoo. United will act late, but not aimlessly. If the dominoes fall as aligned, this window delivers tactical upgrades for Roma, a growth platform for Mainoo, and maintained competitiveness at Old Trafford.