Arsenal are likely to have a busy summer on the transfer front as Edu and Mikel Arteta look to bolster their ranks for next season.
The Gunners took the Premier League title race to the final day of the 2023/24 season and also reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League last term.
Arsenal have made significant progress since Arteta took the reins in 2019 and the hope is that they can go all the way next season.
The Gunners are reportedly looking to strengthen their attacking ranks by bringing in an out-and-out No. 9, a type of player not currently on their books.
Plenty of strikers have been linked with a summer switch to the Emirates Stadium, including Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee.
Indeed, just a few weeks ago, Daniele Galosso of Tuttosport told TV Play’s Ti Amo Calciomercato show that Arsenal appeared to be frontrunners for the Dutchman.
However, things have now changed, and it looks as though AC Milan have made significant progress in pursuit of Zirkzee, according to Fabrizio Romano.
What has Fabrizio Romano said about Arsenal target Joshua Zirkzee?
Romano has reported that the Rossoneri have told Bologna they’re planning to trigger the 23-year-old’s €40million (£34million) release clause.
The transfer insider, writing on X, also claimed that talks now ongoing between the Champions League outfit and Zirkzee’s camp to agree on personal terms.
“Zirkzee, happy to stay in Italy and super keen on AC Milan project,” added Romano, in a further blow to Arsenal.
Arsenal look set to miss out on Joshua Zirkzee as AC Milan swoop
Zirkzee is an amazingly talented player with a very high ceiling, so it’s not surprising that Arteta and Edu have reportedly been pursuing him.
However, it looks as though Milan not only have the edge in the race, but the player himself seems keen to continue in Serie A.
Arsenal may well have to look elsewhere. Luckily the transfer window isn’t even open yet, so there’s plenty of time for the Gunners to source a replacement.