Bayern Munich: Joshua Zirkzee attracting interest from FC Basel
Bayern Munich has started preparations for the new season with non-internationals reporting at Sabner Strasse this week. Julian Nagelsmann will be working with younger players during July before senior players return at the end of the month.
Along with Nagelsmann looking at some of the young players during the next few weeks, the German club will be arranging deals for the departure of few youngsters. Joshua Zirkzee is one of the few young players in the first team that will be playing first-team football away from Bavaria next season.
According to Sky Sports in Germany, FC Basel is showing interest in the young Dutch striker. However, Zirkzee is not in a rush to make a decision about his future. He currently prefers to stay in the Bundesliga after enjoying a good debut campaign with Die Roten.
Zirkzee scored crucial goals for Bayern during the treble-winning campaign under Hansi Flick. The German manager also managed to deploy Zirkzee as a number nine when Robert Lewandowski was missing games due to injury.
After his loan spell at @1913parmacalcio Joshua Zirkzee is looking for a new club.
— Max Bielefeld (@Sky_MaxB) July 5, 2021
There is interest from @FCBasel1893, but the player does not want to take a decision now.
Talks will be held with some Bundesliga clubs as Joshua would like to stay in Germany#TransferUpdate pic.twitter.com/CcooxDr3jM
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After a strong debut season, Zirkzee’s game time decreased significantly in the second season. The German Champions decided to sign Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting on a free transfer, which pushed Joshua Zirkzee below the pecking order. In the first half of last season, Zirkzee largely played in the reserves team to maintain his rhythm and fitness.
When the transfer window opened in January, it was certain that Zirkzee was going out on loan. Few reports were suggesting that Die Roten could sanction a permanent departure. Everton and Parma were in the race to sign Zirkzee. Eventually, the Italian club managed to sign him on loan with an option to buy.
The loan move didn’t go as per the plan for Joshua Zirkzee. The Dutch striker struggled for goals and consistent game time at the Italian club. His season ended abruptly in April due to a serious injury. Zirkzee has now recovered from this injury and likely to regain fitness during pre-season training at Sabner Strasse.
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Since Choupo-Moting has signed a contract extension, the Dutch striker needs to move away from Bavaria for consistent playing time. Die Roten should ideally sanction a loan move to Bundesliga to make sure that he gets back to his best. Eventually, it does feel like Rekordmeister will cash in for the Dutch striker. The coming weeks are likely to be decisive for the future of Joshua Zirkzee in Bavaria.