Arsenal at the front of the queue for €50m Man Utd target

Tom Weber

• Updated: 16 Feb 2024 16:03 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal are Joshua Zirkzee's most active Premier League suitors, according to Italian media.

The towering Dutch striker is enjoying a very productive season with this term's Serie A surprise package Bologna. The erstwhile Bayern wonderkid has notched a very impressive eight goals and four assists for Thiago Motta's side and this has made him a sought-after commodity.

Though he currently finds himself in the midst of a mini scoring drought, having not found the back of the net in three games, speculation surrounding Zirkzee's future is refusing to go away. Linked with the likes of Arsenal and Man Utd, it is very possible that the 22-year-old will be on the move in the summer.

Bayern Munich would be able to bring the Dutchman back at a cut price, but thus far the Bavarians have shown no intention of doing so, potentially paving the way for Zirkzee to head to the Premier League in the next transfer window.

Arsenal on the case

According to Calciomercato, Arsenal are the English side who are 'first and foremost' tracking Zirkzee's development in Italy. The Gunners are 'very interested' in the 22-year-old, as are other Premier League sides, though they will face stiff competition for his signature from Serie A.

It is asserted that Napoli and AC Milan are 'testing the waters' regarding a potential summer move. The former will be in need of a replacement for Victor Osimhen, who is himself being lined up by PSG as the heir to Kylian Mbappe, while also being heavily linked with Chelsea. Milan, meanwhile, have been in the market for a long-term successor to Olivier Giroud for some time.

Zirkzee is believed to be valued in the region of €45 million to €50m, claims the report, though there have been conflicting accounts as to his release clause in recent months. The official line purveyed by Bologna is that he has a €40m exit clause that is only applicable to Bayern.

However, it is thought that the Bavarians actually have a buy-back option for around half that fee, while the full price must be paid by other interested sides. Either way, Zirkzee will be one to watch in the summer.