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Man Utd reject Juventus’ official £26m bid as Arsenal-linked Victor Osimhen ‘waits’ to join as replacement
Priya Nambiar | September 1, 2026 3:35 AM CST

Manchester United have turned down Juventus’ ‘official offer’ for Joshua Zirkzee as they push for a bigger overall package, according to reports.

The Red Devils are expected to be busy over the next couple of days on both incoming and outgoing deals, with the transfer window set to shut on Tuesday.

Manchester United are still in the market for a new left-back before the deadline, and they could also move for a new striker if Zirkzee departs in the next 48 hours.

Fabrizio Romano reported on Sunday evening that Zirkzee had rejected a switch to Serie A outfit Fiorentina, with the Italian club instead moving for Everton striker Beto.

Romano said: ‘Joshua Zirkzee has turned down a move to Fiorentina after €5m loan plus €30m buy option clause proposal sent to Manchester United on Wednesday.

‘Juventus have approached Man United tonight for Zirkzee as they did with Newcastle for [Nick] Woltemade, in case Jonathan David leaves.’

Now, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has revealed that Manchester United have also received interest from Juventus, with the Turin club submitting a loan-to-buy proposal.

Di Marzio claimed that Manchester United want more after Juventus ‘submitted an offer’. He wrote on his website: ‘Talks between Juventus and Manchester United for Zirkzee are progressing rapidly. The Bianconeri have made an official offer for a loan worth around €2.5 million, with a buy option fixed at €30 million.

‘However, the Red Devils’ valuation is slightly higher: the English club wants a total package of €35 million, including the initial loan fee and the final buy option.’

One player Manchester United could look at as a replacement for Zirkzee in the final stages of the transfer window is Arsenal transfer target Victor Osimhen.

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has insisted that Osimhen “loves” the Red Devils and is “still waiting” to seal a move to Old Trafford.

Saha told MrGamble: “I know for a fact that Victor Osimhen is a Manchester United fan. He loves Man United. I have seen it in his eyes, the impact the club has on him, and he sees the impact he could have on this team.

“He is a very confident player. He is like Erling Haaland. He doesn’t need to see the ball very often to score goals. If he is not getting the chances he needs, he will demand them. This is the type of player United need to sign.

“You look at his experience. He has scored 20 goals every season. He has the character, the belief, he works hard and he is unpredictable. He can make assists and he would be a good fit for the Premier League, physically. There is absolutely no doubt about that.”

Saha added: “Osimhen can be another player like Bruno Fernandes. He would quickly come to know the club inside and out. All United have to do is make the connection but that’s why it hasn’t happened yet.”

“Osimhen is still waiting. United missed out on signing Harry Kane and that was one of their biggest mistakes in the transfer market but they can correct that mistake by signing Osimhen.”

Explaining why Osimhen would now be a better fit at Old Trafford than Harry Kane, Saha continued: “I think Osimhen is a better fit for United now than Kane because of Benjamin Sesko. Osimhen can teach Sesko about movement and being a striker but they could also play together and combine better than Kane and Sesko could.”

“I can see it in how they each like to play. Not in every game but in some games it would make sense, and the rest of the time they could give each other some healthy competition.”


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