According to the Italian media "Corriere dello Sport", Roma coach Gasperini is eager to get reinforcements on the front line. They currently hope to introduce Manchester United forward Zirkzee and want to add a buyout option to his contract.
According to the report, Roma's offensive end only scored 7 goals in a total of 15 games in the league and cup (12 goals for the team), so Gasperini is anxiously waiting for a reinforcement to inject vitality into the offensive end. Looking only at the center position, the data is even less ideal: Dovbik scored 2 goals and Ferguson scored 0 goals.
If these numbers do not improve at the beginning of 2026, then Roma's forward line may undergo a major reorganization. Gasperini, a coach who is good at extracting value from forwards, is eager for a new forward protagonist, and the number one target is also clear: Zirkzee.
The 24-year-old Dutch player also hopes to leave Manchester United and experience Serie A again after his good experience in Bologna. Roma attracts him on many fronts: on the one hand, it guarantees his starting playing time (currently only 82 minutes in the Premier League); on the other hand, he can once again follow a coach who appreciates him very much. Gasperini also wanted him when he was in Atalanta.
If he is activated by a coach like Gasperini in the second half of the season, this may open the door for him to the Dutch national team and will also help his hopes of getting a World Cup ticket. Overall, it was a call for him to get back on the field.
Roma sporting director Massara must now negotiate with Manchester United. Manchester United prefers a pure loan, but this is a plan that Roma does not like very much, because the club has changed its philosophy and hopes to develop its own players. This summer they rejected a pure loan swap between Dov Bik and Jimenez as proof.
According to reports, the most favored plan at present is still a loan with a buyout option, or a mandatory buyout clause in case of promotion to the Champions League: This will certainly not be cheap, but it is completely in line with the direction of Roma's new project.
As for Zirkzee’s alternative options, reports indicate that there are Nottingham Forest’s Kalimuendo, Cologne’s Said Mara and Racing Santander’s Arevalo. Verona’s Giovanni is also liked, but he is only a backup for Zirkzee.