Revealed: The four clubs fighting Arsenal for ‘Dutch Zlatan’

Carlo Garganese

24 Apr 2024 13:04 BST
4 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal,, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are fighting it out with four big European clubs for the signature of Bologna sensation Joshua Zirkzee.

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Tuttosport confirms the exclusive of Nicolo Schira, who reported last week that Arsenal are offering Zirkzee a €6 million per year contract to move to the Emirates.

The report adds that Zirkzee is now Arsenal’s number one target for the summer market.

READ MORE: Who is Joshua Zirkzee?

Tuttosport adds, though, that there are at least three other big European clubs who are interested in signing Zirkzee.

Milan, Aston Villa and Man Utd all want the player labelled the ‘Dutch Zlatan’, having scouted him several times this season.

Gazzetta dello Sport adds that Inter Milan have also joined the chase for Zirkzee.

Zirkzee has been one of the breakout stars of European football in 2023-24, leading Bologna to the verge of a shock qualification to the Champions League.

Likened to Sweden legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Bologna are bracing themselves for a host of bids from big clubs this summer.

Bologna have slapped a €75 million asking price on star striker Joshua Zirkzee for all interested parties, other than Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich, on the other hands, have a €40m buyback clause on the player having sold the 22-year-old to Bologna in 2022.

FootballTransfers exclusively revealed in January that both Man Utd and Arsenal were interested in signing Zirkzee during the winter transfer window but that it would be impossible to prise him away from Bologna that 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.

Signing a top number nine is a key priority for Arsenal, and they also have the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, 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, with 12 goals and six assists in all competitions.

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

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.