Bayern Munich: Joshua Zirkzee closing on a move to Parma
The whole winter transfer window has been a transfer saga for Bayern Munich involving Joshua Zirkzee. As we approach the final weekend of the transfer window, this saga could come to a conclusion that will benefit all parties.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, Zirkzee is one step away from joining Parma. The Italian club has beaten Everton for the signing of the Dutch striker. Di Marzio reported on Thursday that a definitive yes from Bayern would unlock the transfer. Parma will initially sign Zirkzee on loan with an option to buy for €15 million.
Zirkzee has been looking to go out on loan since the summer window. He was linked with a late move to Feyenoord, but that deal didn’t materialise. The Dutch forward admitted later that he is open to a loan move to continue his development.
FC Koln and Eintracht Frankfurt also emerged as loan options before the winter break. Frankfurt’s interest eventually fizzled out as they decided to bring Luka Jovic back to the club, while Koln also didn’t submit a concrete offer for Zirkzee.
More from Bayern Strikes
- Bayern Munich: Tactical takeaways from 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich: Kingsley Coman set to be fit for Manchester United clash
- Bayern Munich unlikely to move for Trevoh Chalobah in January
- Bayern Munich: Key lessons from draw against Bayer Leverkusen
- Bayern Munich remains keen on hiring Max Eberl
Everton became a concrete option as Carlo Ancelotti was looking to add a backup striker that would provide cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin. However, Parma is likely to be a much more attractive option for Zirkzee as he would get more playing time.
Zirkzee enjoyed a great start to his senior career at Bayern last season. The Dutch striker came up with crucial goals against Freiburg and Wolfsburg in December 2019 to give Die Roten a much-needed boost in the title race. He served as a backup striker in the squad whenever Robert Lewandowski missed games during the treble-winning campaign.
The German Champions decided to sign another striker last summer. They completed the signing of Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer. The arrival of Cameroonian striker meant that Zirkzee had to settle for game time in the reserves team instead of the first team.
Next. Three things to watch in home clash against Hoffenheim. dark
Zirkzee has a bright future ahead of him. In his short spell in the first team with Bayern, the Dutch striker has shown enough quality to have a good career ahead of him. A loan move will serve him right at the moment to get some more experience at the top level. Bayern and Zirkzee will have to assess the situation again in the summer if Parma decides to take up the option to sign him permanently.