Napoli have made an enquiry over Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, potentially opening the door for Michael Carrick’s striker plans to change during the final weeks of the transfer window.
Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Napoli have asked for information about Zirkzee as they assess several potential additions to their attack.
The Serie A side are also considering Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, while Gabriel Jesus remains another name on their radar.
Napoli cannot yet move concretely for Zirkzee, however. They must first complete another attacking departure, with Noa Lang attracting loan interest from Atalanta.
That leaves the situation at an early stage, but Napoli’s enquiry is significant for United.
Joshua Zirkzee enquiry could trigger Man Utd striker move
Earlier on Tuesday, ReadManUtd reported that United are monitoring Ivan Toney and Jean-Philippe Mateta among several experienced and potentially lower-cost striker options.
There was one major condition attached to those plans: Zirkzee would have to leave first.
At that point, nothing was advanced regarding the Dutchman’s departure.
Napoli asking for information therefore provides the first indication that another potential route away from Old Trafford is developing.
United do not necessarily need another striker while Zirkzee remains. Benjamin Sesko is Carrick’s leading centre-forward when available, while ReadManUtd has already examined how £65m signing Bryan Mbeumo can provide another solution through the middle.
A Zirkzee departure would change that calculation.
Toney and Mateta could then become more relevant as United consider whether replacing the former Bologna forward is necessary before the window closes.
Napoli are not at that stage yet.
They need an outgoing of their own before deciding whether to advance for Zirkzee, while Di Marzio also makes clear that several forwards are being assessed.
But after United’s potential replacements emerged earlier on Tuesday, Napoli’s enquiry has introduced the first piece required to start the striker domino moving.
