Arsenal are looking to sign Joshua Zirkzee amidst Manchester United interest

According to Manchester Evening News, as per a report from Calciomercato, Arsenal are looking to sign Joshua Zirkzee this summer amid interest from Manchester United.

The 22-year-old forward has been a crucial cog in the Bologna wheel as the Thiago Motta–led side look to secure Champions League football remarkably by the end of this season.

Arsenal have been looking for a striker to solve their chance-conversion issues up the centre of the pitch for a while now, but will face competition from the likes of AC Milan and Zirkzee’s former club, Bayern Munich, should they choose to move for him in the summer.

🔴🇳🇱 Bologna gem Joshua Zirkzee has €40m release clause into current deal.

❗️ Bayern can get him for 50% of this fee as buy back clause negotiated when Zirkzee was sold to Bologna.

↪️ Bayern also have 50% sell-on clause in case Zirkzee joins another club.@MatteMoretto 🤝🏻 pic.twitter.com/6bEKHcw8y5

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 21, 2023

Earlier reports had suggested Zirzkee would like to remain in Italy. With Arsenal expressing interest in the Dutchman, any hopes Manchester United may have harboured of securing his signature for Old Trafford this summer will prove challenging.

Not getting Zirkzee won’t be the worst thing for United

Joshua Zirkzee, for all his talent, is not the kind of player Erik ten Hag needs in his system. Anthony Martial has struggled with form and injuries. He is now set to leave in the summer, leaving a spot that needs to be filled at Old Trafford. Zirkzee would not just bridge that gap in the squad but also is an upgrade on the Frenchman.

With Champions League football all but out of their reach, United are better off trying to end the season first before looking to support their manager in the summer.

After all, how the season ends will also determine whether Ten Hag stays at the club for the coming season. Any managerial turnover, it needs to be kept in mind, will considerably swing United’s targets for the coming transfer window.

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Even in that case, though, Zirkzee is a player United can afford to miss out on. For now, anyway.