Manchester United Reject Roma’s Conditional Loan Bid for Joshua Zirkzee
Manchester United have reportedly turned down a proposal from AS Roma to take forward Joshua Zirkzee on loan, with the Italian side hoping to include a conditional option to buy activated only if they secured Champions League qualification. The decision reflects United’s determination to retain control over the future of one of their most intriguing attacking prospects and highlights Roma’s attempt to secure a low-risk deal that aligned with their financial limitations.
Roma’s offer is understood to have been structured around a season-long loan, giving them access to Zirkzee immediately while deferring the financial commitment until performance objectives were met. The proposed condition — that the purchase clause would trigger only if Roma finished in the top four — would have reduced the Giallorossi’s upfront risk and allowed them to prioritise squad strengthening without compromising their ongoing efforts to balance the books.
From United’s perspective, however, the proposal did not match their valuation or their strategic vision for the 23-year-old Dutch striker. Since joining the club, Zirkzee has been seen as a long-term development project with a combination of technical skill, physical presence, and versatility that fits the tactical direction the club aims to pursue. Although he has not yet fully cemented a consistent starting role, his potential ceiling remains high, and United are wary of allowing talented attackers to depart under terms that give them limited financial or competitive benefit.
Moreover, United have spent the last several windows attempting to shift away from complex loan-plus-contingency deals, which can leave the club with uncertain outcomes and limited leverage. A conditional option based on Champions League qualification — an achievement that is far from guaranteed in Italy’s fiercely competitive Serie A — would have placed too much of the player’s future outside United’s control. Should Roma fall short of the top four, United would have endured a season without Zirkzee only to have him return without guarantees regarding his development or future role.
Roma’s interest in Zirkzee is not surprising. Since José Mourinho’s departure, the club has been exploring young, dynamic forwards who can complement their existing attacking pieces and offer long-term value. Zirkzee’s blend of mobility, creativity, and link-up play makes him an ideal fit for Serie A, and his prior success in Italy with Bologna further reinforces his suitability for the league. Roma’s leadership, however, remains constrained by budgetary considerations that force them to seek inventive deal structures — structures that, in this case, failed to appeal to United.
For now, Zirkzee remains at Old Trafford, and United are expected to continue integrating him into their evolving attacking setup. While additional clubs may inquire before the transfer window closes, United’s rejection of Roma’s proposal suggests they will only entertain offers aligned with firm purchase obligations or significant loan fees. As the market continues to move, Zirkzee’s situation will be one to watch, but for the moment, United have made their stance unmistakably clear.
