Italian football agent Vincenzo Morabito says Manchester United have ‘no intention’ of selling Joshua Zirkzee, rubbishing rumours the forward could join Napoli in January.
Zirkzee has so far struggled to live up to expectations in a United shirt, with the 23-year-old finding the back of the net just three times in his opening 21 appearances for the Red Devils following his summer arrival from Bologna.
Ruben Amorim even singled Zirkzee out for criticism in the wake of United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich and there has been some speculation the club could look to move the attacker on this winter.
Serie A giants Juventus have been credited with a strong interest in signing Zirkzee, with head coach Thiago Motta keen to be reunited with the Netherlands international in Turin after working with the Dutchman at Bologna.
Recent reports emanating out of Italy suggested Antonio Conte’s Napoliwere also monitoring the situation and could launch a bid for the striker when the January transfer window opens for business.
But Morabito – a high-profile agent and intermediary in Italian football – believes Zirkzee is still adapting to life in the Premier League and will not be on the move anytime soon.
‘I can exclude a transfer of Zirkzee to Napoli in January. Players at this level hardly move when the league is underway,’ Morabito told Radio Marte.
‘The Dutchman has just arrived at United and his difficulties in tactical adaptation are normal at this stage.
‘In Italian football, when a player isn’t used to certain game systems, it is normal that he may encounter some initial difficulties.
‘As for Zirkzee, Manchester United have no intention of selling him, not even on loan.
‘They would still have to replace him, and this would involve a further investment to replace him in the squad.’
Zirkzee’s current contract at the Theatre of Dreams runs through to the summer of 2029.
After starting United’s last two games on the bench, the former Bayern Munich and Bologna man will no doubt be desperate for a place in Amorim’s XI to face Viktoria Plzen this evening.
After his recent brace against Everton, Zirkzee thanked his team-mates for helping him get through his barren spell in front of goal.
‘The goals, of course, help for a striker, but yeah, we all came out with the confidence that we were going to win this game,’ Zirkzee said.
‘Obviously, the longer it takes before you get back on the scoresheet, the more frustrating it gets for you as a player, but I have some great team-mates, who always kept my head up.
‘They helped me a lot during that time as well. Today they were happy for me as well.’
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