Juventus sell young star to fund arrival of Man Utd flop

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 19 Nov 2024 07:35 GMT
• 3 min read

Juventus are considering selling young winger Samuel Mbangula in order to fund the January arrival of Joshua Zirkzee from Man Utd.

The Bianconeri have a lot of work to do in the January market. They need to sign two new defenders after Bremer and Juan Cabal both tore their ACLs. They also need a striker as Dusan Vlahovic is the only available number nine.

However, Juventus are short on funds after spending big in the summer market, and they must sell before they can buy.

READ MORE: Out of contract in 2025: The best free agents available on a Bosman

Tuttosport report that Juventus are considering selling young star Mbangula, valuing him at more than €10 million.

The 20-year-old Belgian has been a surprise breakout starlet this season under Thiago Motta after being promoted from the Next Gen team.

The funds from Mbangula’s sale would be used to fund Zirkzee’s arrival on loan from Man Utd.

United will accept loan offers during the January transfer market for the Dutch striker.

READ MORE: Premier League top scorers 2024/25

READ MORE: Which football managers have been sacked this season?

Despite interest from Napoli, also, Tuttosport adds that Juventus are the favourites to sign Zirkzee on loan as the Dutchman worked successfully with Bianconeri manager Thiago Motta at Bologna last season.

The 23-year-old Zirkzee was one of the standout players in Serie A last season, and he was often compared to former Milan and Barcelona star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

But he is yet to show that form at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee joined Man Utd this past summer in a €42.5 million move from Bologna.

The striker scored on his Premier League debut against Fulham but he has struggled badly since then and failed to score another goal.

Having fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford and with the club’s fans already seemingly giving up on him, Zirkzee will leave the club in January.

Zirkzee at Bologna

Zirkzee led Bologna to a shock qualification into this season’s Champions League under manager Thiago Motta.

Zirkzee delivered 12 goals and seven assists in all competitions as Bologna finished fifth in Serie A.

He was the key man for a Bologna team who performed well above their weight under Motta to qualify for the Champions League.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee is a giant of a striker who at Bologna was expert at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.

Zirkzee went to Euro 2024 with Netherlands but barely featured under Ronald Koeman.