Zirkzee expects to leave United before deadline as Balde opts to stay at Barcelona

Joshua Zirkzee expects to leave Manchester United before the September 1 transfer window deadline, according to the Daily Mail, with Juventus emerging as the most credible destination for the Dutch forward. The development adds urgency to United’s final days of summer business under manager Michael Carrick, who saw his side beaten 2-0 at Hull on Saturday.

Zirkzee, 25, joined United from Bologna in a £36.5 million deal two years ago and has been linked with a return to Italy throughout much of the summer. Napoli, Roma and Aston Villa have all been connected with the forward, though Juventus are considered the frontrunners — provided they can first offload Jonathan David. Fabrizio Romano has indicated that move could be feasible after Atletico Madrid registered interest in the Canadian striker.

Villa remain in the picture as they search for attacking reinforcements, with their interest potentially intensifying should uncertainty around Ollie Watkins deepen. The Telegraph has reported the England striker could earn £12 million a year by joining Saudi side Al-Hilal, leaving Villa’s forward line in a state of flux.

United’s concern is straightforward: allowing Zirkzee to exit without securing a replacement would leave Carrick short of options in attack. With fewer than seven days of the window remaining, the club faces a compressed timeline to manage both the sale and any incoming deal simultaneously.

On the left-back front, United have suffered a setback after Alejandro Balde reportedly informed Barcelona of his desire to stay at the club. Reports linking the Spain international with a move to Old Trafford had gathered momentum this week following his absence from Barca’s opening win over Elche, fuelling speculation that a formal approach was imminent. United had been understood to favour a loan deal with an option to buy, but Barcelona were only willing to consider a permanent transfer — a gap in positions that now appears moot given Balde’s own preference to remain.

United host Ipswich Town in their Premier League home opener on Sunday, after which the club will have just over two days to complete any remaining transfer business before the window closes.