Everton make deadline-day loan bid for Zirkzee as Balogun deal falters

Everton have made a last-minute loan offer for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee ahead of the summer transfer window’s 11pm deadline, with the Dutch forward identified as a direct alternative to Monaco’s Folarin Balogun after that deal hit complications.

Zirkzee has been peripheral at Old Trafford throughout the summer, yet to feature in either of United’s opening Premier League matches against Hull City and Ipswich Town — appearing only as an unused substitute on both occasions. His slide down the pecking order accelerated last summer when United signed Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko, and Matheus Cunha, leaving the Netherlands international with severely limited playing time.

Everton had been in advanced talks to sign Balogun from Monaco over recent days, but reports emerged ahead of the deadline that the move was in doubt. That uncertainty appears to have prompted the Toffees to pivot, with Zirkzee now understood to be their preferred alternative as they seek to bolster their attacking options.

Speculation over Zirkzee’s future at United has persisted for several months, with Serie A side Fiorentina among the clubs previously credited with an interest. A move to Everton would keep him in the Premier League, where he spent last season with United after joining from Bologna.

United interim manager Michael Carrick, speaking after Saturday’s 5-2 win over Ipswich, was measured when asked whether further departures or arrivals were expected before the window closed.

“It’s always difficult to say, to be honest, when there’s so little time left,” Carrick said. “I think the situation that we’re in, I think the business that we’ve managed to do, I’m pleased with. I think we’re a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team. Adding Marcus into that feels like a new signing. So, in that respect, we’re quite happy. We’re always open to if there’s something else to be able to add, so I wouldn’t shut that down, but as it stands, we’ll have to wait and see.”

Whether Everton’s offer is sufficient to convince United to sanction a loan exit for Zirkzee before the deadline remains to be seen.