Juventus Pursues Zirkzee While Exploring Woltemade as Alternative Option
Juventus has renewed its interest in Joshua Zirkzee from Manchester United amid ongoing efforts to secure a striker as Nick Woltemade from Newcastle United enters the picture. Zirkzee reportedly favors a move to Juventus over Fiorentina, coinciding with Jonathan David’s imminent transfer to Atletico Madrid.
Following Kenan Yildiz’s serious injury, Juventus is actively seeking at least one new striker. The club appears to be in advanced discussions to loan David to Atletico Madrid with an option to buy. If Juventus can finalize David’s departure, it will create the necessary financial flexibility to onboard a striker that aligns with coach Luciano Spalletti’s tactical preferences.
Zirkzee has expressed a strong desire to return to Serie A, delaying talks with Fiorentina in hopes that Juventus would eventually make a bid. According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, Juventus has tabled a paid loan offer for Zirkzee with an option to buy for €30 million.
Meanwhile, as Juventus continues to pursue Zirkzee, they are also checking the availability of Woltemade from Newcastle United as a potential backup option. Previous speculation linked Woltemade with Serie A clubs, including recent interest from Napoli.
Although the preferred target remains Zirkzee, this shift could pose complications for Fiorentina, which needs to secure a replacement for Moise Kean before allowing him to leave for Como.
Juventus have reportedly made a new offer to Manchester United for Joshua Zirkzee, who prefers them to Fiorentina, and called Newcastle United for Nick Woltemade, as Jonathan David gets closer to Atletico Madrid.
The Bianconeri are seeking at least one new striker after the serious injury to Kenan Yildiz, but above all seem to be in advanced negotiations to loan Jonathan David to Atletico Madrid with option to buy.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 25: Jonathan David of Juventus celebrates scoring his team’s first goal during the Serie A match between Juventus FC and SSC Napoli at Juventus Stadium on January 25, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
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If the CANMNT player can be shifted off their books, it will finally create the room required to bring in a forward better suited to coach Luciano Spalletti’s ideas of football.
Juventus and Fiorentina both want Zirkzee
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Joshua Zirkzee of Manchester United celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammate Marcus Rashford during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Fulham FC at Old Trafford on August 16, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Zirkzee has been eager for a return to Serie A for months and multiple sources suggested he was stalling on the Fiorentina interest because he hoped Juventus would be able to come in for him eventually.
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Sky Sport Italia claim that is now happening, with a new proposal on the table for Manchester United of a paid loan with option to buy for €30m.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – AUGUST 26: Nick Woltemade of Newcastle United looks on during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion at St James’ Park on August 26, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
At the same time, Sky Sport Italia also warn that Juve have a Plan B, so have contacted Newcastle United to ask for the availability of Woltemade.
It is not the first time that the Magpies centre-forward has been linked with Serie A, because over the last few days there were already rumours that Napoli had made an approach.
The first choice is definitely Zirkzee, though, and this is a problem for Fiorentina, who in turn won’t release Moise Kean to Como until they have secured a replacement.
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