Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti's admiration for Manchester United's Joshua Zirkzee could pave the way for a player swap between the two clubs, a new report has said. Portugal winger Francisco Conceição is the player who could arrive at Old Trafford if the deal materialises.
Dutchman Zirkzee is almost certain to leave United this summer, while Juventus also need to make a few sales to fund the arrival of Randal Kolo Muani from Paris Saint-Germain and Kerim Alajbegovic from Bayer Leverkusen.
Juventus signed Conceição on a permanent deal from Porto last summer for €32 million. A loan fee of €7 million and €3 million in bonuses for the 2024–25 season was also reportedly spent on him. The 23-year-old has 11 goals and 11 assists in 82 matches for the Old Lady and is an ideal profile for Manchester United, Goal.com said in a report. Noted Portuguese football agent Jorge Mendes is involved in the deal, which could very well be a player swap.
Former Bologna star Zirkzee, who is also tracked by AS Roma, is under contract until June 2029 at United with an option to extend it for another year. However, United will have to spend money even if Zirkzee is part of a potential deal with Juve for Conceição.
United gaffer Michael Carrick is also on the lookout for one more striker ahead of the upcoming campaign, and it was reported earlier that Zirkzee's sale could fund this move. It is not immediately known how the arrival of the Portuguese Conceição will affect the move. The Red Devils are willing to let the Dutch striker leave on a loan deal, given the other party is open to an option-to-buy clause, it was previously stated.
