Arsenal told to match Hojlund fee to sign ‘new Zlatan’

Carlo Garganese

• 24 Jan 2024 12:37 GMT
• 3 min read

Bologna have made it clear to Manchester United and Arsenal that they will have to pay €85 million in order to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

That is according to the Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that Bologna are unwilling to sell Zirkzee for a price less than the €75m (plus €10m in bonuses) that United paid for Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta last summer.

Both Man Utd and Arsenal are fighting it out for the signing of the Bologna star ahead of the summer market.

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

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?

But United or Arsenal will have to pay big money to get their man. Arsenal have reportedly set €50m aside to sign Zirkzee but will have to increase that number massively.

Zirkzee has a €40 million buyback clause that is only valid for previous club Bayern Munich.

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.

He 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.