Napoli Plot Fresh Zirkzee Move After Failed Summer Deal
Joshua Zirkzee stayed put at Manchester United through a summer of transfer speculation, but the 25-year-old is being linked with a January move to Napoli, according to a report relayed by The Peoples Person.
The Dutch forward was strongly linked with an exit all summer without ever actually leaving, and Zirkzee’s proposed exit from Old Trafford ultimately fell through before deadline day.
What Area Napoli are reporting
According to Area Napoli, Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna pushed hard to land Zirkzee right up until the final moments of the summer window, working to reunite him with Rasmus Hojlund at Allegri’s side. The Peoples Person picked up the report on 3 September 2026, and it’s worth stressing there’s no official confirmation from either Manchester United or Napoli attached to any of it.
| Competition | Apps / Starts | Goals / Assists | Minutes |
| Premier League | 24 / 5 | 2 / 1 | 609′ |
| FA Cup | 1 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 28′ |
| EFL Cup | 1 / 0 | 0 / 0 | 8′ |
| Total 2025/26 | 26 / 5 | 2 / 1 | 645′ |
Source: Transfermarkt, as cited by The Peoples Person.
What happens next
Napoli reportedly plan to move Lang on at the turn of the year, freeing up the funds needed to reactivate a Zirkzee deal, with existing commercial ties between the two clubs said to smooth the path. The report even claims a loan has already been agreed in principle, though that remains unverified and, as the summer’s Juventus deadlock showed, these things have a habit of dragging without a resolution.
It remains to be seen whether Napoli can actually clear the decks, or whether United – facing a congested Champions League campaign – decide Zirkzee is worth keeping around as squad cover regardless.
