TalkSPORT understands Joshua Zirkzee is actively exploring options to leave Manchester United in January to boost his World Cup chances.
The 24-year-old Dutch striker has only played five games this season, totaling 90 minutes, and is yet to score.
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The arrival of Benjamin Sesko has pushed Zirkzee further down the pecking order, even though Rasmus Højlund moved to Naples in the summer.
New signing Matheus Cunha was also deployed as number 9, meaning Zirkzee had limited options.
Zirkzee played 59 minutes off the bench in United’s 3-2 win over Burnley in August after Cunha went off injured, but every other appearance this season has lasted 10 minutes or less.
Zirkzee does not want to leave the club permanently in January, but is open to a loan move in order to be able to play regularly before the 2026 World Cup.
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The 24-year-old was left out of Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for their World Cup qualifying wins over Malta and Finland in October.
He was part of Euro 2024 but now has to fight to win back a place in the Netherlands squad.
AZ Alkmaar’s 22-year-old striker Mexx Meerdink was chosen over him during the last international break.
Strasbourg striker Emanuel Emegha is also expected to be included in the squad for the 2026 World Cup, after which he will move to Chelsea.
Wout Weghorst, Memphis Depay, Donyell Malen, Justin Kluivert and Cody Gakpo are other regulars in the Dutch team and options in attack.
Who could sign Zirkzee?
Roma is considered a suitable credit target for Zirkzee and The Pitch Prospect assumes that initial contacts have now been made.
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Brighton loanee Evan Ferguson is yet to score and could be sent back to his parent club in January, while Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk scored just his second Serie A goal in a 2-1 win over Parma on Wednesday.
West Ham and PSV are two other clubs monitoring Zirkzee.
Lille also have a historic interest, but former Rangers striker Hamza Igamane’s seven goals in 11 games now make signing another striker less important for the Ligue 1 side.
The opposite is true for West Ham, who will almost certainly sign a striker in January as new coach Nuno Espirito Santo is on the hunt for a target player.
With Niclas Fullkrug injured and Callum Wilson on an expensive incentive contract that will be heavily influenced by his style of play and performance, West Ham have limited options for their management line.
Zirkzee is said to be open to staying in the Premier League.
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The Pitch Prospect understands Zirkzee is not yet in formal talks with United about his future, but that is expected to change in November.
Amorim still values the Dutch striker as a squad player and believes he has different qualities to other attackers and is capable of defending from the front.
As such, there is no guarantee the Red Devils will approve a loan move after telling Kobbie Mainoo last summer that a temporary move was off the table.
Unless United sign another striker in January and get 100 per cent wage protection for Zirkzee, he could still be forced to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
But with no guarantees of playing time, Zirkzee would prefer to go out on loan mid-season, knowing he is likely to miss this summer’s World Cup if his minutes continue to be limited.