-Credit:Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images.
Juventus head coach Thiago Motta has already placed on record his appreciation for Joshua Zirkzee’s talent and work ethic amid reports linking him with a return to Italy.
According to a report by Sky Sports, Juventus ‘want to do a loan deal’ for the Manchester United forward, who moved to Old Trafford from Bologna in last summer’s transfer window.
In an attempt to beef up their attacking options, United swooped for the Netherlands international in a deal worth €42.5million. He put pen to paper on a five-year deal at Old Trafford.
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However, just six months after moving to England, Zirkzee is being linked with a return to Italy after scoring just four goals in 28 appearances.
An increasing number of United supporters have become impatient with the former Bayern Munich man and that was made clear when some booed his first half withdrawal in the 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at Old Trafford.
Juventus have been credited with interest in Zirkzee’s signature at various stages in recent weeks, and now that the January transfer window has opened speculation is continuing to mount. The Italian side are said to be keen on trying to agree a deal with United to take him on loan.
Juventus’ interest in Zirkzee, however, should come as no surprise, with the 36-time Italian champions now under the stewardship of Motta, who worked with the United forward at Bologna. Motta left Bologna to join Juventus a month before Zirkzee moved to United.
Zirkzee has played the best football of his career to date under the former Barcelona midfielder, as well as making more senior appearances under his leadership than any other coach. Motta often raved about the United attacker during their time together at Bologna, making it easy to understand why he would be keen on a reunion in this month’s transfer window.
Motta, speaking in February last year, said: “I remember Ronaldinho from Barcelona, he was something extraordinary. I’ve never seen a player of this level when he was in form. Ibra [Zlatan Ibrahimovic] the same, given the career he’s had.
Thiago Motta (right) is a big fan of Joshua Zirkzee. -Credit:Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images.
“Joshua is Joshua, he’s special, I hope he continues like this and I won’t compare him to anyone. He plays well but above all he works, I will never stop saying that from the first day of training camp, he has always been the first to work and has become a leader.
“He must continue like this and we must help him continue like this because this is on the right path.”
Following United’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, head coach Ruben Amorim was quizzed on Zirkzee’s Old Trafford future amid ongoing speculation. The United boss outlined his desire to retain him this month.
“I want to keep Josh because he gives everything,” Amorim told talkSport. “He’s trying in training but we don’t know, the window is open. We will see what happens.”