Manchester United Plan Brutal Summer Clearout as Joshua Zirkzee Offered to Juventus Amid Goalkeeping Department Overhaul

Manchester United is set for a brutal summer exit as Joshua Zirkzee is offered to Juventus. Up to four goalkeepers and Casemiro are also facing the axe.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 18, 2026, 11:21 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Football365

Disillusioned Forward Seeks Italian Return After Difficult Debut Season

The tenure of Joshua Zirkzee at Old Trafford appears to be reaching a premature conclusion as the Netherlands international struggles to secure a consistent role in the first team. Despite the arrival of Ruben Amorim, Zirkzee’s standing within the squad remains stagnant, leading to reports from Italian outlet Tuttosport that the player feels "discouraged and saddened" by his current situation. Having joined from Bologna for £36.5 million, the forward has been superseded in the pecking order by the recent acquisitions and performances of Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha, and Bryan Mbeumo. This lack of progression has reportedly prompted Zirkzee to authorize his representatives to explore a return to Italy, where his technical profile remains highly regarded by the nation's elite clubs.

Juventus Evaluates Formal Move Following Direct Transfer Offer

In a strategic move to raise funds for a planned midfield rebuild, Manchester United has reportedly "offered" Zirkzee to Juventus. According to journalist Nicolo Schira, the Turin-based giants had previously inquired about the striker in January and are now set to evaluate the possibility of a permanent summer transfer. While Juventus is the primary suitor, AC Milan and AS Roma are also said to be monitoring the situation closely. The Dutch forward’s willingness to depart suggests that the club's hierarchy is ready to take a financial hit on the 2024 signing in favor of streamlining the offensive unit for the 2026/27 campaign.

Wholesale Goalkeeping Transition Targets Four Major Departures

Beyond the frontline, Manchester United is reportedly planning a "brutal summer clearout" specifically targeting the goalkeeping department. Current No. 2 Altay Bayindir is expected to be sold, with Turkish giants Besiktas emerging as the most likely destination for the international keeper. Furthermore, the club plans to facilitate a permanent exit for Andre Onana once his current loan spell at Trabzonspor concludes. This radical shift indicates a desire from the INEOS-led recruitment team to completely reset the defensive foundations of the squad, potentially identifying a new long-term primary goalkeeper to align with Amorim’s specific tactical requirements for buildup play from the back.