(Credit: Imago)

Jack Heath

Wed 8 October 2025 10:37, UK

Joshua Zirkzee is gasping for a January move to reignite his dwindling Premier League after being knocked down the pecking order at Man United.

Sources told Football Insider on 10 August that Man United wanted to move on Zirkzee, Rasmus Hojlund and Alejandro Garnacho before the summer transfer window shut.

They were successful in offloading the latter two but the Dutchman remains an immovable object despite being firmly at the bottom of Ruben Amorim‘s thinking.

Sources told Football Insider on 3 October that Zirkzee is unhappy at Man United and wants to leave in January, especially with a World Cup on the horizon.

Football Insider reveals the three Premier League teams willing to take a punt on the misfiring 24-year-old on a short-term loan deal in January.

West Ham

Football Insider revealed exclusively on 7 October that West Ham have joined the race to sign Zirkzee after a dismal start to the season.

Graham Potter’s miserable tenure has paved the way for Nuno Espirito Santo to ascend to the east London throne as he eyes up necessary reinforcements in the winter transfer window.

The number 11 should be open to the prospect of heading to the capital given the Portuguese’s track record of inspiring strikers to reach new levels.

At Wolves, Raul Jimenez was a revelation and scored 48 goals in 110 appearances in all competitions.

Similarly, Espirito Santo brought the best out of Chris Wood, notching 32 goals in 60 appearances at Nottingham Forest.

Therefore, considering Niclas Fullkrug is yet to flourish under the ex-Valencia boss, Zirkzee should be jumping at the opportunity to head to West Ham.

Given the appalling form of the German and Callum Wilson, Espirito Santo will certainly prioritise the former Bologna man’s minutes ahead of a World Cup year.

Leeds

Sources told Football Insider that Leeds are looking to sign a winger and an attacking-midfielder in January, yet Daniel Farke should also demand that the board brings in a new striker.

Summer arrivals Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha have just one goal each with Championship hotshot Joel Piroe falling flat in the English top-flight.

Leeds have scored just seven goals after seven Premier League matches, a worryingly low number which indicates early warning signs of relegation.

The German manager needs a new face to lead his frontline and it makes sense to take a risk-free punt on Zirkzee to bolster the attack.

Following a poor summer window, Farke will be urging that signings are made sooner rather than later in January and bringing in the Dutchman on-loan should be easier to complete than a permanent deal.

Bournemouth

Football Insider exclusively revealed that Andoni Iraola is on Man United’s managerial shortlist to replace Amorim.

However, the Spaniard may actually benefit from interacting with the Red Devils to acquire the services of Zirkzee.

Bournemouth are light up front with Enes Unal an injury liability and Evanilson stumbling in front of goal, netting on just one occasion in eight matches.

The Cherries have been heavily reliant on Antoine Semenyo who has started the season in incredible form, yet Iraola cannot expect his star man to continue his purple patch forever.

Down on the south coast, Bournemouth are known to be shrewd operators in the market and picking up the Dutchman on a short-term basis would appease the lack of options up front.

On top of this, the Spaniard will be aware of his side’s drop-off last season around the winter period when injuries piled up for his small squad, which ultimately cost getting into Europe at the end of the campaign.

Moreover, Zirkzee fits in with Iraola’s high-pressing style as demonstrated by his excellent work rate off the ball, even when crashing out of form at Old Trafford.

This is certainly an out-of-the-box transfer but it does encapsulate the Cherries’ recruitment model.