EXCLUSIVE: Bologna adamant that Man Utd and Arsenal target is not for sale

Steve Kay

• Updated: 13 Jan 2024 18:11 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal have expressed interest in securing the services of Joshua Zirkzee but Bologna are reluctant to make a sale this window, FootballTransfers understands.

The Gunners boast a healthy relationship with super agent Kia Joorabchian of Sports Invest UK. The agent has played a pivotal role in numerous player movements associated with the North London club over the years, being at the forefront of such moves as Cedric Soares, Willian, Omari Hutchinson, Zane Monlouis, David Luiz, and Pablo Mari.

Additionally, Joorabchian represents Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa, who remains one of Arsenal's primary targets for midfield.

Despite the strong ties, prying Zirkzee away from Bologna in the January transfer window poses a significant challenge, we are told.

Sources suggest that a substantial fee would be required to persuade the Italian club to part with the prolific striker, and the Gunners would rather look to make a deal in the summer.

As previously reported, their ambition is to bring in an elite forward ahead of next season.

Can Arsenal sign Joshua Zirkzee?

Insiders suggest that if anyone possesses the negotiation skills to make this deal happen, it would be Joorabchian, but any chance of a move materialising in the winter window remains relatively low.

We can also state that there is not much in the story that Arsenal want to bring in source Amadou Onana, something that has been reported elsewhere.

The club have other targets, such as Luiz, that they would rather attempt to bring in than the Everton man.

Zirkzee moved to Bolanga in 2022 after failing to find his place at Bayern Munich. He has netted eight times in 16 matches for the Serie A club so far this season.

But his career-best came when the 22-year-old was on loan at Anderlecht during the 2021-22 campaign. There he found the net 18 times in 47 games.