Arsenal have been linked with several strikers ahead of the summer transfer window, and a surprise name has emerged in recent months.
Mikel Arteta looks set to strengthen his front line, and Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is among the names suggested as a possible centre-forward signing.
The 22-year-old has had a strong season, with 11 goals and five assists in 32 Serie A games, helping his side reach fourth place in the league, and they are on the verge of Champions League qualification.
The former Bayern Munich prodigy is attracting interest from several clubs, but it now appears that Arsenal are ahead of several European giants in the race for his signature.
Arsenal pull ahead in the race to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee
A report from Gazzetta Dello Sport has now claimed that Zirkzee, who could cost up to €60m (£51m) and bonuses, is of interest to Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus.
The race is heating up to sign the Dutchman, but the report has claimed that Arsenal are now in the lead ahead of the two Italian clubs to sign him this summer.
Bologna manager Thiago Motta is a big fan of his attacker, and will likely not want to lose such a talented player, but it seems unlikely that they will be able to keep hold of him given the level of transfer interest.
What Joshua Zirkzee would bring to Arsenal
“Joshua is Joshua, he’s special, I hope he continues like this and I won’t compare him to anyone,” Thiago Motta recently stated of the attacker.
“He plays well but above all he works, I will never stop saying that from the first day of training camp, he has always been the first to work and has become a leader. He must continue like this and we must help him continue like this because this is on the right path.”
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It is clear that Zirkzee has the mentality to succeed at a high level, but his goal record is not comparable to an option like Viktor Gyokeres, with Arteta wanting a clinical attacker.
However, Zirkzee’s career progression at his age suggests that he is due to explode even further in front of goal next season, and he would bring a combination of height, speed and technical excellence to Arsenal’s attack.
As an initial rotational option with Kai Havertz, Zirkzee has the potential to become elite, but it does remain to be seen whether a more proven goalscorer could be targeted instead.