Juventus have declined an offer to sign Manchester United’s out-of-favor striker Marcus Rashford, opting instead to pursue his teammate, Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee.
Despite Rashford’s availability being circulated by agents across Europe, the Italian giants, led by manager Thiago Motta, have shown no interest in the England international. Rashford, who has been excluded from Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim’s squad for four consecutive matches, including a 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to Wolves, is reportedly eager to leave Old Trafford.
Juventus’ focus, however, has shifted to 23-year-old Zirkzee, a player Motta previously coached during their time at Bologna. The forward has struggled since his £36.5 million move to United last summer, managing only four goals in 26 appearances, with just 10 starts. Despite these struggles, his reputation in Serie A remains strong, and Motta believes he can reignite Zirkzee’s potential under his guidance.
United may hesitate to part ways with Zirkzee so soon after investing heavily in him, but Juventus are determined to bolster their attacking options in the January transfer window. Rashford, meanwhile, faces an uncertain future, with Amorim expressing skepticism about the player’s place in the squad.
Asked about Rashford’s absence following the Wolves match, Amorim stated, “If he is not here, you can make up your mind. It’s always the same reason. We have to remain professionals, and I will continue with my idea until the end.”
Rashford’s hefty £350,000-per-week wages and potential transfer fee are proving significant obstacles to a move, with previous offers to clubs like Barcelona also failing to gain traction.
Meanwhile, Juventus are considering other reinforcements, including AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori, who could be available for £20 million.
As the January window approaches, both Rashford and Zirkzee’s futures remain uncertain, with potential moves hinging on financial negotiations and managerial decisions.