Doubts Emerge Over £43 M Move for United Star to West Ham as Positional Problem Looms
A fresh chapter at Manchester United for 24-year-old forward Joshua Zirkzee has turned far from smooth, and now a proposed move to West Ham United is raising serious eyebrows. According to sources for TEAMtalk, the main concern isn’t finances — it’s where Zirkzee would actually play. (TEAMtalk)
Background
United paid around £43 million (€49.5m) to sign Zirkzee from Bologna FC 1909 in the summer of 2024. (TEAMtalk) Expectations were high: he had developed in Italy and showed promise, with coaches praising his hold-up play, technical ability and potential to flourish in a Premier League setup. (Sky Sports)
However, the reality at United has been starkly different. Sources say he has struggled to find regular game time and has “struggled to fit” into manager Ruben Amorim’s tactical system. (TEAMtalk)
The Positional Problem
One of the core issues highlighted is that Zirkzee does not see himself as a conventional No. 9, yet West Ham are looking for precisely that role. (TEAMtalk) TEAMtalk reports:
“Zirkzee is not a prolific goalscorer … and does not see himself playing as a No. 9.” (TEAMtalk)
Meanwhile, West Ham — under their manager Nuno Espírito Santo — are in urgent need of someone who can lead the line and consistently score goals. This misalignment raises immediate concerns about whether Zirkzee would thrive at the London club.
Furthermore, at United he has been used in multiple roles — sometimes as a forward, sometimes more as a supporting attacker — but never consistently in a role that suits his preferred style. One source summarised:
“He struggles to find a spot for the forward in the current tactical system.” (TEAMtalk)
Why West Ham Could Still Be Interested
Despite the caution, West Ham’s interest is genuine. They are actively pursuing attacking reinforcements and Zirkzee is on their radar. Recent reports suggest:
- West Ham hold “genuine interest” in the forward. (West Ham Zone)
- United appear open to a loan move in January rather than forcing a permanent exit immediately. (West Ham Zone)
For Zirkzee, a move could revive his career prospects — especially with competition at United mounting (new signings have overtaken him), and with national team ambitions in play. (TEAMtalk)
Why the Move Has Major Risks
- Mismatch of role vs expectation: If Zirkzee doesn’t want to play as a pure No. 9, and West Ham require one, the risk of underperformance is high.
- Competing with established scorers: West Ham have had issues in their forward line but signing someone who isn’t fully comfortable in the target role may compound that problem.
- United’s dilemma: If United accept a loan, do they trust that his development will be maximised — or will his value drop if he flops?
- Zirkzee’s own ambition: He reportedly wants a club that gives him “a position like the one he was enjoying at Bologna”. (TEAMtalk)
Conclusion
The scenario for Zirkzee’s potential move to West Ham is far from straightforward. The fee and player involved carry promise — but the “positional problem” looms large. West Ham could be trying to solve their striking issues with a talented forward who may simply not want (or be suited) to the role they need filled.
Ultimately, this will hinge on whether West Ham can accommodate Zirkzee’s preferred position (or convince him to adapt) and whether United are willing to let him go into a situation where his identity on the pitch is less clear. For now, the move remains tentative and laden with caveats.
If you like, I can pull together potential other clubs that might suit Zirkzee’s preferred role better (and evaluate the pros & cons).
