Arsenal boost in €80m Dutch double deal but Romano delivers a warning

Robin Bairner

18 May 2024 01:55 CDT
3 min read

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Arsenal’s prospects of landing Joshua Zirkzee and Jorrel Hato have improved in recent hours, but transfer news expert Fabrizio Romano has warned the London side not to expect to have it all their own way when it comes to chasing the Dutch duo.

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The Gunners dipped into the Eredivisie market last summer to sign Jurrien Timber from Ajax and could re-visit the Amsterdam club for Hato this time around. He has an Estimated Transfer Value of €17.4 million.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have long been credited with an interest in Bologna striker Zirkzee after a breakout campaign in Serie A. While a transfer fee of €60m has been mooted for the former Bayern Munich youth, it has already been reported that Mikel Areta’s side have offered the forward a contract worth €30m.

Current ETV

Jorrel Hato

D (CL)

Ajax

Jorrel Hato

D (CL)

Ajax

ETV Range

€13.1M - €21.8M

Any potential summer move, meanwhile, has received a boost from Arsenal’s perspective as both have missed the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, in Zirkzee's case because of injury.

The bonus for the Gunners is twofold. Firstly, it means that there is no premium put on the asking price of the clubs based on the pair being internationals. Both remain uncapped.

The second reason is more practical. Arsenal now have the flexibility to negotiate without the trouble of Euro 2024 to disrupt them. This provides the Gunners with more time but also allows them to pick their moment to announce a deal.

This is important because the 30 June deadline to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability regulations. If there is scope to get deals done before then based on the club’s finances, they will surely strive to do this. Zirkzee and Hate not being in the European Championship squad offers them around a month more to work with.

Romano’s Zirkzee warning

Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, has warned Arsenal there are other clubs monitoring Zirkzee, in this case AC Milan and Juventus.

“Regardless of whether Arsenal want Joshua Zirkzee, he’s a priority target for AC Milan and they’ll keep pushing to find a way to sign him. Talks took place and will continue, while Juventus also called weeks ago to be informed on Zirkzee,” Romano notes.