‘Dutch Zlatan’ passes Arsenal audition

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 28 Jan 2024 17:36 GMT
• 3 min read

Joshua Zirkzee passed another Arsenal transfer audition on Saturday evening.

FootballTransfers understands that the Gunners are scouting the Bologna striker with a view to potentially making a bid in the summer market.

And Arsenal will again have been impressed after watching Zirkzee against Milan.

The Dutchman opened the scoring on 29 minutes with a great finish, rifling the ball past Mike Maignan.

Zirkzee led the line superbly and was arguably the best player on the pitch at San Siro together with Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who scored twice.

The match finished 2-2 with Riccardo Orsolini scoring an injury time equaliser.

Arsenal are fighting it out with Man Utd for Zirkzee’s signature this summer.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed this month that both teams were interested in Zirkzee but that it would be impossible to prise him away from Bologna this month.

However, a transfer in the summer is very possible as Bologna accept it will be difficult to keep hold of a striker who has exploded in Serie A this season.

READ MORE: Who is Joshua Zirkzee?

Both Man Utd and Arsenal are looking to strengthen their attacking department in 2024.

Signing a top number nine is a key priority for Arsenal, in particular, and they also have Victor Osimhen, Dusan Vlahovic and Ivan Toney on their shortlist.

Zirkzee in 2023-24

Zirkzee has emerged in 2023-24 as one of the most exciting young attackers in Europe.

He has been the key man for a Bologna team who have punched well above their weight under Thiago Motta, challenging for a Champions League place in Serie A.

Zirkzee, who has a reported €40 million buyback clause at Bologna which is valid only for Bayern Munich, has scored eight goals and delivered two assists this season.

Standing at 6ft 4in, Zirkzee is a giant of a striker who is expert at holding up the ball and bringing others into play.

He is strong at protecting the ball with his back to play, but he is also excellent technically, boasting quick feet and able to move out of tight spaces.

Due to his blend of height, strength and technique, Dutchman Zirkzee has been compared by some to Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Zirkzee has caused problems to some of the biggest teams in Serie A this season. He scored a wonderful equaliser at San Siro to earn Bologna a 2-2 draw against Inter, while he was man of the match in the 1-1 draw at Juventus - making the assist for Lewis Ferguson’s goal. He then scored once again at San Siro on Saturday in the 2-2 draw with Milan.