
As Roma pursues the Serie A title, Sporting Director Mauro Massara has accelerated negotiations to reshape the forward line. The primary target is Joshua Zirkzee, with reports indicating that Manchester United has tentatively accepted a "loan plus conditional obligation to buy" arrangement.
However, United has requested to delay the move until mid-January. This is due to the departure of forward Bryan Mbeumo, who will represent Cameroon in the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, leaving the Premier League side temporarily short-staffed.
The main hurdle remains the valuation. While United values Zirkzee at no less than €45 million, Roma is proposing a €5 million loan fee plus a €30 million buy option triggered by Champions League qualification. To accommodate Zirkzee, Roma may facilitate several departures:
Evan Ferguson: Likely to return to Brighton early.
Artem Dovbyk: Potentially headed to Everton in a swap for Beto.
Andrea Pinamonti: Recommended as a tactical backup.
Concurrently, Roma is advancing talks for Atletico Madrid’s Giacomo Raspadori, who is open to a loan with an obligation to buy set between €18m–€20m. These moves signal a significant winter "revolution" aimed at securing both immediate success and long-term stability.