Sky: ‘Daily dialogue’ between Roma and Man United for Zirkzee

Sky Sport Italia report that Roma have already opened talks over Joshua Zirkzee with Manchester United: ‘Negotiations are ongoing, there’s a daily dialogue.’

Roma are expected to reshape their attacking department in the January transfer window as the Giallorossi seem eager to send Evan Ferguson back to Brighton to sign a new centre-forward.

As Football Italia already reported earlier this month, Manchester United’s striker Zirkzee is the primary name on the Giallorossi’s agenda, and the possible signing of the Dutch striker has already been approved by Gian Piero Gasperini.

“There’s just one name, and we know everyone agrees with it,” Sky Sport journalist Paolo Assogna confirmed from Trigoria on Tuesday.

“Roma need a plug-in player. Zirkzee knows Italian football well, and he’d be ready to go on the field. He won’t need to understand Italian football, so all the attention is on him.”

Zirkzee has been struggling with playing time this season, scoring just one goal in nine appearances.

Roma have been relying on Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk as centre-forwards, but when Paulo Dybala is fit, Gasperini tends to prefer fielding him as a false nine.

“Clearly, the coach will want to have him right away,” Assogna continued.

“Negotiations are ongoing, there’s a daily dialogue between Roma and Manchester United, and it’s the only negotiation really underway.

“As usual, it’s about the money,” the reporter continued.

“United want a permanent move or an obligation to buy, Roma want an option to buy tied to certain targets. I’m not saying there is optimism, which would be excessive, but there’s attention from Manchester United.”

Zirkzee already played for Bologna and Parma in Serie A, scoring 13 goals and providing seven assists in 57 appearances in Italy’s top flight.