Manchester United want the money now as Zirkzee transfer stalls

The message from Old Trafford is as blunt as it gets: Manchester United want the money now. With Roma pushing to secure Joshua Zirkzee in January, negotiations have stalled because United refuse to entertain any form of delayed or conditional payment. Despite the forward giving an instant “yes” to Roma, the transfer remains locked behind United’s financial demands and INEOS’ stricter negotiating framework under Jim Ratcliffe.

Corriere dello Sport report that Roma sporting director Frederic Massara has held several rounds of talks with United, only to be met with the same response each time. Roma proposed an initial loan with a purchase option triggered by Champions League qualification — a structure the Premier League club rejected outright. The Red Devils are under no pressure to loan out the striker and have made it clear that any deal must bring guaranteed cash in January rather than in six months.

Zirkzee’s desire to join Roma is described as “ironclad”, with the Dutchman pushing for the move in search of regular minutes. FootballPlace reported on 17 November that the forward intends to leave in January, and his stance has not changed. But United’s determination to cash in immediately may price Roma out unless the Friedkin ownership group decide to increase the budget.

Manchester United want the money now message fits the new direction under Ratcliffe. After costly recruitment mistakes and outgoing deals that lacked value, INEOS have instructed the sporting department to reject “freebies”, temporary fixes, or delayed obligations. United want liquidity this winter — and Zirkzee, despite limited output under Amorim, is seen as a sellable asset.

Roma, meanwhile, are growing impatient. With little progress in negotiations, they have begun exploring alternatives such as Corinthians striker Yuri Alberto. The fear in Italy is that the longer United drag their heels, the more likely Roma are to shift their focus elsewhere.

Having followed Manchester United’s January business patterns for years, this stance is not surprising. INEOS want to re-establish financial discipline and stop the cycle of temporary loans that bring little return. In our view, United demanding guaranteed funds now is less about Zirkzee himself and more about setting a precedent for future windows.

Although some reports frame United as overly rigid, the nuance is that Zirkzee still retains market value — and delaying the sale risks diminishing that value further if his minutes decline once Šeško returns from injury. It’s worth questioning whether Roma truly believe he is a must-have target or if they simply hoped to exploit United’s previous tendency to accept delayed structures.

From Roma’s perspective, the situation is delicate. Their attacking rebuild requires immediate reinforcement, not a dragged-out negotiation that collapses in late January. If the Friedkins believe Zirkzee fits De Rossi’s long-term plan, they may ultimately meet United’s demands. If not, pivoting early could save them from repeating past transfer-window frustrations.

Roma must decide whether to meet United’s immediate cash demands or move on. Manchester United, meanwhile, appear comfortable waiting — their priority is structure, not speed. Expect further talks within the next 7–10 days, with Zirkzee pressing internally for clarity.

👉 Manchester United fans — are the club right to demand full payment now, or should they accept a loan if it clears the squad?