Manchester United's pricing for Zirkzee revealed! He firmly requested a transfer after the World Cup, and new buyers have emerged

Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee has attracted interest from multiple clubs as he may leave Old Trafford in January next year. Serie A teams Juventus, AC Milan, Como, and Roma have shown interest, while Premier League sides Everton and West Ham are closely monitoring him. Brighton has recently joined the competition for his signature.

Last season, Zirkzee had a tough start; he scored a winning goal off the bench on his debut but then faced heavy criticism and was even substituted before halftime in a match against Newcastle United. However, through hard work, the 24-year-old Dutch forward finished the season with a decent performance.

Unfortunately, Zirkzee struggled to maintain that momentum. With new signings arriving and injury troubles, his future has become highly uncertain. During the summer transfer window, Manchester United spent heavily on three attacking players: Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million, Bryan Mbeumo for £71 million, and Benjamin Sesko for €85 million. As a result, Zirkzee's playing time declined significantly, and his opportunities on the pitch became increasingly limited.

Zirkzee has yet to start a match this season and has only played 82 minutes across all competitions, appearing four times as a substitute. Understandably, he is unhappy with his role and was consequently omitted from the Dutch national team. To have a chance to participate in the World Cup next year, Zirkzee has firmly expressed his desire to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window to find regular playing time elsewhere.

Reportedly, Zirkzee is eager to be selected for the Netherlands squad at the World Cup and cannot afford to remain on the bench. According to Premier League transfer expert Graeme Bailey, Brighton is the latest potential buyer; the club previously helped another former Manchester United player, Danny Welbeck, revive his career.

It is understood that Manchester United hopes to receive between €35 million and €40 million for Zirkzee, which means the club would not incur a loss compared to the investment made two years ago.

Manchester United manager Amolin is said to appreciate some of Zirkzee’s qualities and wishes to keep him; however, he views the player as a backup, suitable only for rotational duties. For Zirkzee, this may not be enough to secure a call-up from Ronald Koeman.

Of course, at the end of this year and the beginning of next, Zirkzee might get some opportunities. During that period, Manchester United’s Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, and Mazraoui will be away for at least two weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, the club will compete in the FA Cup. Amolin is expected to give Zirkzee some playing time in the number 10 role, but he will still have to compete with Cunha, Sesko, Mason Mount, and Coby Meno for a starting spot.

If Zirkzee fails to get enough playing time during the busy schedule from Christmas to New Year, he will resolutely demand a transfer. Otherwise, his chances of participating in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico could vanish.

If Zirkzee ultimately leaves Manchester United, he will join the long list of players who failed to realize their potential at Old Trafford. A recent study by the CIES Football Observatory indicates that Old Trafford has indeed become a black hole where many players lose value.

The data shows that Chelsea players’ total market value surged by over £300 million in the past year, reaching £1.56 billion, surpassing Paris Saint-Germain (up £263 million) and Frankfurt (up £255 million), making Chelsea the most successful club in the global transfer market.

In contrast, Manchester United players have collectively depreciated by £327 million, ranking them as the worst-performing team. Manchester City (-£273 million) and Real Madrid (-£187 million) are second and third respectively. The total valuation of Manchester United players ranks only seventh in the Premier League at £711 million, even behind Brighton.