Antonio Conte wants to sign Manchester United flop as Ruben Amorim given transfer 'green light'

Napoli boss Antonio Conte has reportedly given the Serie A side the green light to pursue a transfer for Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee in the January transfer window. The 23-year-old striker, who joined the Red Devils from Bologna for £36.5m in the summer, has struggled to impress since touching down at Old Trafford.

Zirkzee, who penned a five-year contract, has featured 15 times for United in the Premier League this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist. After netting in a 1-0 win against Fulham on the opening day of the season, the Netherlands international went on an 11-game drought.

He finally ended his barren run in front of goal with a brace in a 4-0 win over Everton earlier this month. Despite his uninspiring performances, Zirkzee has reportedly managed to attract interest from the Italian top flight.

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According to Italian outlet Il Mattino, Conte has given Napoli higher-ups the 'green light' to sign the Dutchman from United. The report states that the former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur boss has been a long admirer of Zirkzee.

It's said that the Italian giants are particularly keen on signing second United player after Scott McTominay hit the ground running in Naples. Napoli signed the 28-year-old midfielder in the summer for £25m – and he's proven to be a shrewd acquisition.

"I try to pick the best players," said Conte when he was recently quizzed on the decision to sign McTominay. "We did well with Scott because he was not a starter at Manchester United, but I already knew him very well.