Zirkzee’s Fiorentina Exit Nears, And It Could Trigger United’s Move for Mateta
United’s pursuit of Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is on hold until Joshua Zirkzee’s loan to Fiorentina is done. Here’s exactly where both deals stand.
Key Facts
- Zirkzee to Fiorentina: The two clubs are working through a loan agreement worth around €5m, with an option or conditional obligation to buy for roughly €25m plus add ons.
- Juventus out of the picture: A prior verbal understanding between Zirkzee and Juventus has reportedly broken down, with the striker now favouring the move to Florence.
- Mateta chase on hold: United are expected to turn their attention to Jean-Philippe Mateta only once the Zirkzee deal is finalised.
- Villa’s bid rejected: Crystal Palace turned down an offer of around £20m to £25m from Aston Villa for Mateta, who has one year left on his contract.
- United and Spurs approached: Mateta’s representatives have offered him to both clubs, though United have made no formal bid so far.
- Left back still a priority: United continue to weigh options including Alejandro Balde, David Raum and Jorge Salinas before the deadline.
Why Zirkzee’s Exit Has to Come First
There’s a clear pecking order to United’s remaining business this window, and Joshua Zirkzee’s future is at the top of it. He didn’t even get off the bench in the opening loss at Hull City, and honestly, that tells you most of what you need to know about where he sits in the squad right now. Fiorentina have stepped in as the club most likely to take him off United’s hands.
The numbers being talked about are a loan worth roughly €5m, with Fiorentina picking up his wages and an option, possibly even an obligation, to make it permanent next summer for around €25m plus add ons. It’s not the £36.5m United paid Bologna for him in 2024, not even close, but it’s a workable way to get most of a return on a signing that just hasn’t panned out.
What actually tipped this toward Fiorentina, interestingly, seems to be Zirkzee himself. He’d apparently had a verbal understanding with Juventus at one point, but that’s since fallen apart, and he’s now the one pushing for Florence instead. Juventus haven’t fully walked away, but they can’t really move until they’ve sold Jonathan David, so their hands are tied for now anyway.
Where the Mateta Pursuit Actually Stands
United liking Jean-Philippe Mateta isn’t news, that interest goes back to January. What’s new is how fast things have moved this past week. Aston Villa got in first with a bid somewhere between £20m and £25m, and Palace turned it down flat, which tells you they’re holding out for a lot more than that, contract situation or not.
With Villa’s offer dead in the water and Mateta’s people keen to get him out before the deadline, he’s reportedly been offered to both United and Tottenham through intermediaries. That’s worth pausing on, being offered a player is a very different thing from actually going after one. United haven’t put a bid in, and if anything, there’s word that there’s some genuine reluctance inside the club about signing a striker who might end up getting in the way of Benjamin Sesko’s development as the long term first choice.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner isn’t playing along with the narrative either, he’s denied Mateta has asked to leave and says no bid has landed on the club’s desk at all.
Everything Else Still on United’s Plate
Zirkzee and Mateta are the headline act, but they’re not the only thing United still need to sort. Midfield’s been dealt with already this summer, Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans all arrived, so the focus now is left back, where Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, RB Leipzig’s David Raum and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas are the names being floated before the window slams shut.
| Situation | Latest Status |
|---|---|
| Zirkzee to Fiorentina | Loan close to being finalised, buy option included |
| Mateta to Man United | Offered by intermediaries; no formal bid yet |
| Mateta to Aston Villa | Bid of around £20m to £25m rejected by Palace |
| Left back search | Balde, Raum, Salinas under consideration |
What Happens Next
It really comes down to timing at this point. Get the Zirkzee loan signed off in the next couple of days, and don’t be surprised if United move on Mateta almost immediately, there just isn’t time left for a slow approach. Let it drag, though, and United could end up with no backup striker at all heading into the run in, while Tottenham sit there quite happy to swoop in if the door’s left open.
Quick Questions
Is the Zirkzee to Fiorentina deal confirmed?
Not yet official, but reporting describes it as close, with terms around a €5m loan and a buy option worth roughly €25m plus bonuses.
Has Manchester United made a bid for Mateta?
Not a formal one as of the latest reports. He has been offered to United through intermediaries rather than United approaching Palace directly.
Why would Mateta need Zirkzee to leave first?
United are working with limited attacking headroom this window, and Zirkzee’s exit is what frees up both squad space and the framework for a replacement signing.