'Talks are advanced' for first Man Utd transfer deal of January window with 'player waiting to see'
Manchester United's first transfer deal of the January window could be an exit from one of their current players
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly in advanced talks over personal terms with AS Roma as he waits on a decision on whether he will be permitted to leave Old Trafford.
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The former Bayern Munich and Bologna man is open to leaving United for more game-time after starting just three of the club’s 18 Premier League games this term.
It was reported by Fabrizio Romano in recent days that United had already received an official offer from Roma for Zirkzee. The Serie A club are proposing a loan move for six months with a conditional obligation to buy.
Now Give Me Sport and talkSPORT reporter Ben Jacobs has provided an update as Zirkzee remains in talks about personal terms. He said on X: “Joshua Zirkzee is waiting to see whether Manchester United will sanction a loan to Roma. Talks between Zirkzee and Roma are advanced, but Manchester United haven’t yet told the player or Italian side if they will allow an exit in January.”
Speaking earlier this week, manager Ruben Amorim insisted that his squad was short and that players would not be permitted to leave unless a replacement was signed. With Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo - who has not been given an attacking role this season but is a forward by trade - at the African Cup of Nations, Amorim may be even less keen to see Zirkzee depart.
The Dutch player has been down the pecking order but with a busy run of games coming up alongside a third round FA Cup clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, Amorim will want as many options as possible to allow him to rotate.
Speaking about potential transfer exits, Amorim said: "It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution.
"We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.
"We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media's] heads, in my head, in everybody's head, we need to win every game. It doesn't matter. There are no excuses."