Man Utd Striker Joshua Zirkzee Eyed by Napoli if Primary Bid Fails
Napoli are preparing a January transfer window move to sign Monza striker Gustavo Varela as their top attacking priority. The Italian club has also established Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee as their secondary target if negotiations for Varela break down.
Varela is a 21-year-old centre-forward who currently leads the line for Monza. He has emerged as one of the most sought-after young attackers in European football this autumn.
Joshua Zirkzee
playerThe forward has built his market value by scoring 9 goals in 10 top flight matches this season. That scoring streak has accelerated interest from multiple major clubs across the continent.
Napoli face heavy opposition for the young striker, with Arsenal, Juventus, and Manchester United all actively monitoring Varela’s performance for Monza. If competing bids push Varela out of reach, Napoli plan to approach Manchester United directly to request Zirkzee on mid-season terms.
Manchester United
clubNapoli Frontline Rebuild Focuses on Supporting Rasmus Hojlund
Napoli intend to restructure their attacking options mid-season to give main striker Rasmus Hojlund dedicated backup upfront. With Lorenzo Lucca and Noa Lang both nearing exits from the club, adding dynamic depth inside the penalty area has become an urgent tactical objective for the Serie A side.
Striker Hierarchy Shifts at Old Trafford Under Mauricio Pochettino
Zirkzee has found continuous starting minutes difficult to secure at Old Trafford following the appointment of manager Mauricio Pochettino. The Dutch international originally joined Manchester United from Bologna in 2024 for a fee exceeding €42.5m, but a return to Serie A remains a clear option if squad rotation leaves him on the margins in England.
Monza Competition Shapes Winter Spending Options for Napoli
Securing Varela will require Napoli to match the financial reach of Premier League contenders and domestic rivals who are tracking the player’s break-out form. Turning to Zirkzee presents a structured alternative if Monza refuse to sanction a mid-season sale for their star asset. Sport Mediaset.