Report: Bayern Munich’s Joshua Zirzkee close to agreeing deal with Parma

Amidst heightened uncertainty regarding his future at Bayern Munich, Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with both Everton and Parma in recent weeks. The 19-year old striker has found it difficult to find minutes under Hansi Flick this season and didn’t really play all that often in the second half of last season, either. Per a new report from Sky Germany (via transfermarkt), it now looks like a deal with Parma is close.

Per the report, Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio is suggesting that a deal could be announced between Parma and Bayern for Zirkzee by the end of this week. It’s understood that the deal would be a season-long loan spell with the option to buy on a permanent basis for €15 million, which is currently €6m above the Dutchman’s market value. Everton is also still interested, but per the report, talks with Parma have “headed in the right direction.”

It’s helping Parma’s case that Zirkzee wants to leave Bayern as soon as possible and they need reinforcements in the striking department. They’re currently in 19th in the Serie A table, just one point outside of the relegation zone, but between strikers Roberto Inglese and Andreas Cornelius, they’ve found goals hard to come by. As a team, they’ve only scored a league-worst 14 goals.

At Everton, they already have Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading the attacking line, which would be a speed bump for Zirkzee right off the bat. Carlo Ancelotti also has Richarlison and Cenk Tosun at his disposal as available forwards, though he often deploys Richarlison as a winger. Still, taking competing personnel into consideration, Parma would make far more sense for Zirkzee in terms of getting the most minutes and thus, most valuable experience in a top flight. Parma can offer him the guaranteed chance to be a regular starter in their setup. Everton simply cannot offer that. From Bayern’s perspective, he could potentially come back with some solid experience under his belt and increased market value, or they could make a decent profit permanently selling him to Parma.