Premier League rule and Man Utd clause make it impossible for Aston Villa to loan Zirkzee in January

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Aston Villa have been linked with Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee, but a loan move this season cannot happen.

TBR Football understands that Joshua Zirkzee is ready to leave Manchester United in January.

The attacker has been limited to just 82 minutes of Premier League action this season on the back of Ruben Amorim assembling a new-look front three.

Man United signed Zirkzee for £34m, and recent reports have suggested the Red Devils are looking to cash in for a similar fee, with Aston Villa among the clubs linked.

Jadon Sancho will stop Aston Villa loaning Joshua Zirkzee

Caught Offside claim Villa have an interest in the Dutchman and view him as a potential back-up striker option.

However, should they firm up their interest, Unai Emery’s team would have to secure a permanent deal in January.

The reason for this is two-fold and centres around Manchester United loanee, Jadon Sancho.

Sancho has struggled on loan at Villa so far, but the Midlands outfit must keep hold of the Englishman for the remainder of the campaign.

The Daily Mail reports that when United sanctioned the loan, they did not include a break clause, meaning the winger must spend the entirety of 2025/26 at Aston Villa.

This immediately ends any chance of Villa securing a loan move for Zirkzee during the 2026 winter transfer window.

That is because, as per Premier League rules: “The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.”

Villa have PSR concerns already, so spending around £30m on another striker they reportedly view as a back-up option makes little sense.

They must also consider the fact that Harvey Elliott arrived on loan from Liverpool with an obligation to buy for £35m next summer.