Joshua Zirkzee is earning interest from Arsenal, AC Milan and Manchester United for the summer transfer window, and the Bologna forward now has a ‘clear’ preference.
Strikers are set to play a key role in the upcoming sales as sides from across Europe strive to take their attacks to a higher level. Mikel Arteta is one manager exploring the market for his next centre-forward at Arsenal, where Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have had difficulties.
Erik ten Hag is also bidding to build on Rasmus Hojlund’s first season at Manchester United. The 21-year-old made the move from Serie A to the Premier League that Emirates Stadium and Old Trafford chiefs are considering for Zirkzee. He also has seven goals in 22 games yet.
Arsenal and Manchester United are fighting for Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer from Bologna
Manchester United now want to add to Hojlund but will face competition from Arsenal in a tug-of-war over Zirkzee’s transfer. Arteta is examining the 22-year-old’s merit after watching Jesus struggle with injuries all season and Nketiah manage just five goals in 25 appearances.
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Nketiah has also not scored since hitting a hat-trick against Sheffield United in October. So, Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Arsenal are monitoring Zirkzee, whom Manchester United have already made their first move to try and agree on a summer transfer from Bologna for.
The Red Devils have good odds for pleasing everyone if they return with a big offer over the off-season. But while Arsenal are less favoured, Gazzetta dello Sport adds that the Gunners have the ‘perfect’ project for the Dutchman if they can overcome their rivals plus AC Milan.
Bologna will demand a big bid for Zirkzee and are valuing his transfer at the €75m (£64.5m), plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons, that Manchester United paid Atalanta for Hojlund in August. Only Bayern Munich can buy Zirkzee for less thanks to their €40m (£34.5m) buyback clause.
Stadio Renato Dall’Ara chiefs compare Zirkzee’s 10 goals in 28 Serie A fixtures this season to the nine in 32 that Hojlund scored in 2022/23. The asking price is a huge issue for AC Milan. But San Siro chiefs may bid €50m (£43m) and let Bologna keep loanee Alexis Saelemaekers.
Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee views AC Milan as his preferred landing spot
AC Milan price Saelemaekers at €10m (£8.5m) and hope Bologna reconsider their reluctance to agree to include his permanent transfer in another operation. The Rossoneri are pushing forward with their interest in Zirkzee having made his transfer their priority for a new striker.
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Zirkzee has also made AC Milan his preferred transfer over a move to Arsenal or Manchester United. The San Siro is his ‘clear’ favourite landing spot as he would ‘gladly’ stay in Serie A to grow in a league and with teams he knows, plus the prospect of Champions League football.
The Dutchman – whom Bologna boss Thiago Motta calls ‘special’ – certainly favours moving to AC Milan over returning to Bayern Munich. Zirkzee has no real desire to try again at Der FCB, along with the presence of Harry Kane jeopardising his chances to succeed in Bavaria.