Joshua Zirkzee 'set for Man Utd exit' after Newcastle humiliation with talks over shock transfer progressing

Joshua Zirkzee could be ‘set to move’ on from Manchester United after he was substituted just 32 minutes into the Red Devils’ 2-0 defeat against Newcastle at Old Trafford on Monday.

Zirkzee, 23, was withdrawn by Ruben Amorim and replaced by Kobbie Mainoo before half time.

He put on a United coat and made his way down the touchline towards the tunnel after being sarcastically cheered off the pitch by the United fans inside the stadium.

One reporter who was inside the Old Trafford tunnel even suggested that the player “had tears” in his eyes before he returned to the United bench to join the rest of the squad shortly after.

Following the game, Amorim, 39, explained how the decision was “tough”, but he felt it needed to be made as the midfield was “suffering” before Mainoo, 19, was introduced.

Now, reports from Italy suggest that Zirkzee could look to exit the club in the January transfer window.

Italian outlet Tuttosport explained how Zirkzee is “more open than ever” to the possibility of a potential loan move to Juventus in the January window. Juve are said to be 'interested' in talks progressing over a loan deal until the end of the season.

Joshua Zirkzee was substituted during the first half against Newcastle (Credit:Getty)

The report also suggests the possibility of an ‘obligation to buy’ could be inserted as part of the initial loan.

This could be based on certain conditions - including the club qualifying for the 2025/26 edition of the Champions League.

Tuttosport claims that United 'want to sign' Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyökeres as a replacement, but a deal could prove difficult to get over the line midway through a season.

Of course, the Dutchman boasts a wealth of experience in Serie A, having scored 14 goals in 58 competitive appearances for Bologna before signing for United last summer for a fee reported to be around £36.5m, according to BBC Sport.

He also played four times for Parma in the 2020/21 Serie A campaign.

Juve’s manager, Thiago Motta, previously worked with Zirkzee during his time at Bologna and struck up a good relationship with the forward.

The Italian giants are currently unbeaten in the league but, having drawn 11 and won seven matches, sit sixth in the division after 18 games.

If the player were to be loaned to the Turin-based side, he would compete with the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik for a starting place.