Manchester United blocked a late £10 million deadline-day loan offer from Everton for striker Joshua Zirkzee, as first reported by The Athletic. The package proposed by the Merseyside club on 1 September 2026 included a £5.5 million loan fee while fully covering the 25-year-old's £105,000-a-week salary. However, United officials rejected the approach because there was insufficient time to secure a replacement before the transfer window closed, keeping the forward at Old Trafford.
Carrick reflects on deadline-day decision
Speaking about United's late-window transfer activity, manager Michael Carrick expressed satisfaction with his squad depth despite blocking the late exit. "It's always difficult to say, to be honest, when there's so little time left," Carrick said, in quotes reported by the Manchester Evening News. "I think the situation that we're in, I think the business that we've managed to do, I'm pleased with. I think we're a better group, a better squad, potentially a better team." Following the rejection, Everton manager David Moyes pivotally redirected his recruitment, subsequently signing forward Beto to bolster his attacking options.
Zirkzee's squad status and Serie A links
Zirkzee faces a challenging period under Carrick, having fallen behind in the forward hierarchy. Despite striker Benjamin Sesko being ruled out of the starting lineup for United's opening Premier League fixtures against Hull City and Ipswich Town, Zirkzee remained an unused substitute in both matches. With United also boasting Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in forward areas, Zirkzee's path to the first team appears heavily restricted. This fringe status has already alerted clubs abroad. According to reports by The Peoples Person, Napoli have laid solid groundwork to rekindle their interest in the striker during the January transfer window. Serie A rivals Juventus and Fiorentina have also registered interest as they monitor his lack of game time.
With the January window only months away, Zirkzee's immediate future hinges on whether he can force his way into Carrick's plans or if a return to Italy becomes inevitable.
