Friedkin dilemma as Everton could rival Roma for Zirkzee in January

Reports in Italy claim that Roma are still pursuing a January deal for Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, but updates in the UK suggest that Everton, under the same ownership as the Giallorossi, could also make a move for the former Bologna attacker in the next few weeks. 

The latest updates in Italy claim that Roma have already sent their opening proposal to Manchester United in an attempt to sign Zirkzee in January. 

Gasperini has already given his approval, and according to reports from Corriere dello Sport on Monday, the Giallorossi have offered a loan with an obligation to buy linked to Champions League qualification. This report claims that Roma are offering a package in the region of €30m. 

However, according to reports from The I, Everton are also among the clubs interested in securing a deal for Zirkzee in January. 

Curiously, Everton and Roma are both under the same ownership: The Friedkin group, who officially acquired the Toffees in December 2024.

The I also links Everton with a potential move for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, who has also been heavily linked with a January move to Napoli in recent weeks.

Why Roma want Zirkzee in January 

Gian Piero Gasperini is hoping to add to his attacking department during the January transfer window. The Giallorossi tend to line up in a 3-4-2-1 with Artem Dovbyk and Evan Ferguson as the ‘traditional’ no.9s, with a selection of Paulo Dybala, Matias Soule, Tommaso Baldanzi, Leon Bailey and Stephan El Shaarawy as the other attacking options. 

Still, Gasperini is not particularly satisfied with his attacking resources. 

Dovbyk spent over a month out with a hamstring issue while Ferguson has had to wait to earn the coach’s trust. 

Dybala has already had two separate injury issues this season, as has Bailey, who has only featured for 181 minutes in Serie A since joining from Aston Villa over the summer.

El Shaarawy is now 33 and is set to be out of contract in the summer, while Baldanzi is not exactly a guaranteed starter at the Stadio Olimpico and is not even on the club’s Europa League squad list at the moment. 

Zirkzee, meanwhile, comes with Serie A experience, plays in a similar formation to Roma’s under Ruben Amorim at Manchester United, and is also capable of covering in either of the two attacking rows of the aforementioned 3-4-2-1.

And, if he is available for a loan deal in January, that would also suit Roma on an economic level as well.