Roma accelerate talks for Joshua Zirkzee after London meetings with Man United

Roma have stepped up their pursuit of Joshua Zirkzee after face-to-face meetings in London with Manchester United and the striker’s entourage across Friday and Saturday. The plan from the Giallorossi is clear - align on personal terms first, then move to club-to-club talks. United are open to conversations if the proposal protects long-term value. Zirkzee, who shone in Serie A with Bologna before joining United, is viewed in Rome as a perfect technical 9.5 to combine with creators around him. Timing and structure will be key, but momentum is real and growing.

Talks were held in London over two consecutive days between Roma’s sporting director Ricky Massara, Manchester United representatives, and Zirkzee’s camp. The Italian side are prioritizing personal terms before formalizing a club-to-club framework. Zirkzee’s proven Serie A profile and Roma’s need for a multifunctional striker have brought both sides to the table with urgency.

🚨 BREAKING: The deal for Joshua Zirkzee to Roma could now be progressing! Roma sporting director Ricky Massara had meetings with Manchester United in London on Friday and Saturday. Talks were also held with Zirkzee’s entourage. The Italian club’s strategy is now clear. They

@UtdXclusive

Impact Analysis

From a football perspective, this makes sense on multiple levels for Roma. Zirkzee is a modern center forward who thrives between the lines, shields the ball, and links play under pressure. At Bologna he posted double digits in Serie A and consistently drew markers out of shape, which freed midfield runners. At Manchester United he has shown the same glue-in-attack traits - first touch, patience, and the ability to slip teammates in rather than forcing low-value shots.

Drop him into Roma’s structure and you see the fit. With Dybala seeking pockets on the right half-space and Pellegrini timing runs beyond, Zirkzee’s back-to-goal work and wall passes become a platform. He is 1.93m, strong enough to handle aggressive markers in Serie A, but his edge is subtle - disguise on layoffs, roll-and-spin in the box, and calm decision making. In transition, he can release wide forwards early; against low blocks, he helps Roma circulate until the gap appears. He also presses intelligently, cutting lanes rather than charging blindly.

Financially, Roma’s approach to secure personal terms first hints at a structured package next - a loan with obligation or a staggered fee. For United, a deal only happens if valuation, add-ons, and sell-on protection align. Purely on the pitch, though, Roma would be signing a forward who immediately raises their offensive ceiling and gives Daniele De Rossi a focal point that suits the team’s passing rhythm.

Reaction

The early fan split is stark. United supporters in the replies juggle emotion and logic. Some want a clean sale if the number is right, arguing the club can pivot in January - names like Ivan Toney and Antoine Semenyo popped up repeatedly, plus a left-field shout to explore Conor Gallagher on loan to add legs in midfield if funds are freed. Others push back hard, saying no departures until after the busiest winter stretch and international absences. One reminded everyone of dressing room standards, questioning whether a player who wants starts should be indulged.

Neutral viewers and Serie A followers call it a great signing for Roma. They see a stylistic match and believe Zirkzee would rediscover his Serie A ease next to Dybala. A few United fans concede the fit is obvious in Rome but warn against underselling an asset who can change games off the bench and start when the schedule bites. The discourse even veered into nostalgia - mentions of Bruno Fernandes’ leadership and Casemiro’s moments - as fans framed the club’s identity during a potential reshuffle. In short, excitement in Italy, caution in Manchester, and a lot of armchair director of football energy online.

Social reactions

Means Semenyo is coming?

Cheesy Fries (@cheesyfries66)

Interesting… a loan with obligation to buy sounds like Roma are serious about Zirkzee. Hope he gets the game time he needs he’s got potential, just needs the right environment to thrive.

Old Trafford Updates (@news_united_)

Sell him and bring Samenyo 👍

Copy & Win (@CopyandWinn)

Prediction

Three scenarios stand out. Most likely: Roma secure personal terms quickly, then attempt a structured deal - initial loan with an obligation that activates based on minutes or qualification targets. That protects United’s balance sheet and lets Roma phase payments. Timeline would be fast if all parties stay aligned - think a week to ten days from terms agreement to documents.

Second scenario: straight sale at a premium over United’s entry price, padded with performance add-ons and a sell-on clause. This needs Roma to free space on their wage bill and possibly move a squad forward. The appeal is clarity - United bank the fee, Roma lock in their 9.5 for De Rossi.

Third scenario: talks cool if United suffer injuries or see the market for replacements tighten. Some fans suggest Semenyo or Toney as replacements, but neither is straightforward mid-season and there is no simple release clause publicly known for Semenyo. If this happens, a revisit in the summer is natural, with Roma keeping warm contact with the player’s camp.

My read after years of covering these windows: the personal-terms-first method usually signals genuine intent and a high hit rate. If Roma reach a financial mechanism United accept, this one has a clear runway.

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Conclusion

Everything about this pursuit points to purpose. Roma want a forward who knits attacks and finishes phases without rushing them. Zirkzee has done that in Italy and has added Premier League sharpness to his game. I watched him live in Bologna last spring - the calm when two defenders converged, the slip pass into the channel, then the late arrival for the cutback. The mechanics are repeatable, not a hot streak. In Rome, with Dybala and Pellegrini reading the same pictures, those actions turn into goals and assists.

United’s stance will be pragmatic. They need to protect value and ensure squad depth during a congested period. If Roma put forward a proposal that hits valuation and timing, everyone can win - Roma get the profile they lack, United retain control through clauses and structure, and the player returns to a league that suits his tempo. The noise is loud for a reason: the fit is natural, the talks are advanced, and the strategy is coherent. Unless injuries or numbers derail it, expect this story to keep moving in one direction.