Fiorentina Leads Juventus in Joshua Zirkzee Pursuit

Joshua Zirkzee’s future is edging back towards Serie A, and right now Florence looks a far likelier destination than Turin.

Manchester United are prepared to let the Dutch forward leave before the end of the summer window after two flat years at Old Trafford. The 25-year-old started only five Premier League games last season and did not get off the bench in United’s opening league fixture of the 2026-27 campaign against newly-promoted Hull City.

With Marcus Rashford returning from his loan spell at Barcelona and reclaiming a central role in Erik ten Hag’s attack, Zirkzee has slipped even further down the pecking order. The message is clear: if he wants minutes, they will have to come elsewhere.

Serie A Calling Again

Both Juventus and Fiorentina see opportunity where United see surplus. Zirkzee left a strong impression in Italy with Bologna, scoring 11 Serie A goals in the 2023-24 season and showing he can handle the tactical grind and physical edge of the league.

That body of work has not been forgotten. Juventus have kept him firmly on their list as they look for another attacker, but there is a complication: they need to move players out first. Jonathan David is the obvious name to make room, and until the Bianconeri find him a new club, their pursuit of Zirkzee remains stuck in neutral.

Fiorentina’s situation is very different. They need a striker now.

Moise Kean is on the verge of joining Champions League side Como in a €40m deal, leaving a sizeable gap at the top of the pitch. La Viola are not shopping for depth; they are hunting for a direct replacement who can walk straight into the starting XI. Zirkzee, with his blend of link-up play and penalty-box presence, fits that brief.

Viola in the Stronger Position

That urgency has shifted the balance of power. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina are currently in the strongest position to strike an agreement with Manchester United. They can move quicker, they have a clear tactical need, and they do not have to wait on sales before making their move.

Juventus remain in the conversation, but at this stage they are reactive, not proactive. Their interest is real, yet conditional. Fiorentina’s is immediate.

Zirkzee knows Serie A, knows the rhythm, knows the grounds. The only question now is whether Juventus can clear the decks in time to challenge a Fiorentina side that, for once in this market, are ready to act rather than chase.