Arsenal are keeping tabs on Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster the Gunners attack in time for another title tilt next term.
The Dutch forward has long been the subject of rumours that the north Londoners will launch a bid for him sooner rather than later as they continue their hunt for a lethal marksman in front of goal. However, Arsenal aren't the only side keen on his services, with fellow Premier League outfit Manchester United and Serie A titans AC Milan also admirers of Zirkzee's talent.
The 22-year-old has previously claimed that his talent is a product of the "Johan Cruyff courts" in his home country, a street footballer who made it all the way to Bayern Munich.
"I think what the USA has with basketball courts, we have in Holland with the five-a-side pitches," he told the "It makes you tough, you have to be smarter, you have to find a way to keep up with guys that are bigger and stronger than you. I learned on the streets - and that's where creativity comes to life."
It's the kind of attitude that would certainly serve Arsenal well, but the same cannot be said for Bayern. Zirkzee joined the academy of the German giants in 2018, before making the step up to the senior squad in 2021.
Premier League odds and betting tipsDespite some highlights that include two late winners against Freiburg and Wolfsburg, Zirkzee struggled to make the grade at Bayern and left for Bologna after loan spells with Parma and Anderlecht. Things didn't exactly get off to a flying start in Italy, with the striker managing just two goals in his first season.
Life under manager Thiago Motta also took some getting used to, with Zirkzee himself admitting he "wasn't ready mentally" to meet the ex-Inter Milan star's demands. However, this season has brought about a significant shift from the striker, who was recently the subject of huge praise from his manager.
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"He said that his idols are [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Gabriel] Batistuta, who are two excellent players, but, seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona," Motta told Sky Sport Italia. "But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is just Joshua, and he is special."
Zirkzee himself recently addressed all the talk surrounding his club's future and kept his cards close to his chest amid all the interest. He added: "The road is long and you have to work hard every day. If you ask me what I prefer between making Bologna great or going to play for a big club soon, I tell you that the right choice is making Bologna great. Then we’ll see you."
The ex-Bayern star certainly has the talent to improve Arsenal and while his own rate of return can hardly mean he is viewed as a goal machine, Zirkzee's 10 league goals this term is more than Gunners stars like Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard and Havertz can claim to have scored.
Some may argue that Zirkzee is nowhere near the finished product and as a result is not the kind of player Arsenal should be spending money on. However, Arteta is keen on young talent and could view Zirkzee as the ideal striker to mould into a lethal forward later down the line.
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