Arsenal have ‘already set aside’ €50m to sign 22yo as Mikel Arteta expresses strong interest…

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (page 16), Arsenal has already allocated €50 million to secure the signing of Joshua Zirkzee, a 22-year-old player who is also a target for Manchester United.

Zirkzee has had a remarkable second year with Bologna, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 22 appearances across all competitions.

While his statistics may not be extraordinary, both Arsenal and United are reportedly keen on bringing him to the Premier League during the upcoming transfer window.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Gunners have already allocated €50m to secure the services of the 22-year-old striker. However, Bologna has not yet determined the price they are willing to accept for his transfer.

Last summer, Rasmus Hojlund joined the Red Devils in a deal worth €80m from Atalanta. It is speculated that Bologna’s technical director, Giovanni Sartori, may seek a similar fee for the striker.

While Bayern currently holds an option to re-sign Zirkzee for €40m, they also have a 40% sell-on clause on any potential profit. Therefore, it is unlikely that Bologna will allow him to leave for a low price.

It is crucial for Arsenal to exercise caution and not exceed their budget when considering a potential signing of Zirkzee.

While the Gunners are in need of a new striker, it is unlikely that a deal will be made during the winter transfer window due to Financial Fair Play restrictions. However, they may be willing to make a significant investment in the summer.

Zirkzee has shown promising progress in his second season at Bologna, contributing to 12 goals. However, he still has room for improvement and is not yet the complete package.

His speed, dribbling skills, and ability to hold the ball would be a good fit for Arsenal. Nevertheless, it is important for the club to avoid overspending on his services, especially considering the competition from other clubs like the Red Devils.

United have been known to overspend on certain players they have signed. Arsenal, on the other hand, should learn from this and refrain from offering more than the estimated value for their targets.

It appears that Arsenal is willing to pay €50m for the former Bayern striker. However, if Bologna is demanding a higher fee due to Hojlund’s move to United, Arsenal’s management should consider walking away from the negotiations.