Joshua Zirkzee’s wages at Manchester United remain a problem for Napoli, despite him being a long-time target.
Corriere del Mezzogiorno report that Zirkzee’s current wage packet of €4.3m a year ‘could tempt Napoli to look elsewhere’ this summer.
Napoli want a new striker
The newspaper explains that Napoli are on the hunt for an alternative to Rasmus Hojlund, who will be signed on a permanent basis in the summer.
Romelu Lukaku is currently the alternative option but he is expected to leave in the summer. The Belgian has fallen out with those in charge at the club after electing to stay in Belgium for injury treatment against Napoli’s wishes.
That’s led to a deterioration of his relationship, with knives already out for him in the media. Sporting director Giovanni Manna is already targeting replacements.
A list has been drawn up and Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee is on it. The Dutchman is a long-term target for those in charge in Naples.
However, his €4.3m salary is a problem. In fact, the newspaper say it is such an issue that Napoli could look elsewhere for a low-cost deal instead. Brighton’s Evan Ferguson is also on their list.
Manchester United listen to offers
Recent reports have made it clear that Manchester United will listen to offers for Joshua Zirkzee this summer, though.
Perhaps if there is an opportunity to save money on that front, Napoli would be able to get a deal with the striker over the line. Even in that scenario it seems they need the 24-year-old to make his own contribution.
How much they need him to drop his wages isn’t made clear by Corriere del Mezzogiorno. But it is likely to be by a significant amount for the transfer to have any realistic chance of happening this summer. The ball, it seems, is very much in the Dutchman’s court.
