Manchester United and Juventus are discussing a possible swap deal between Joshua Zirkzee and Dusan Vlahovic.
That’s according to journalist Enrico Camelio to Radio Radio, who reports that the idea of a swap deal has now been floated in the opening negotiations between the two sides.
Zirkzee is expected to leave Manchester United this month, having failed to make an impression since arriving in a big money move from Bologna in the summer.
He does not appear to be in Ruben Amorim’s plans moving forwards either, with the Portuguese manager recently hauling him off after only 30 minutes in the loss to Newcastle United.
That was seen as the end of the striker’s time at Manchester United and the encouragement for Juventus, who have been linked with a move for months, to try and make a deal happen in the January transfer window.
They’re long-term admirers of the player and have Thiago Motta in charge, who Zirkzee shone under during their time together at Bologna.
The big obstacle is the financial aspects of the deal, with Manchester United eager to recoup their spend but Juventus only offering a loan deal with various clauses at this point.
According to Camelio, that has led to alternative proposals being presented, including a potential swap deal involving Vlahovic.
“We understand that the footballer (Zirkzee) is not at all happy in Manchester, he has not settled in and is not doing well,” he said on Radio Radio Lo Sport.
“In Italy he had done well in Parma and then very well in Bologna precisely with Motta. We are working on it, but there is an idea of an exchange between Vlahovic and Zirkzee, let’s see how the situation evolves.
“The idea is plausible; the Dutchman would find the coach who consecrated him again.”
