Arsenal report: €70m striker sensation closing in as first summer signing: report

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between PSV Eindhoven and Arsenal FC at Philips Stadion on December 12, 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
(Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal are looking at bringing a €70 million striker to the Emirates Stadium this summer to fix their issues up front.

The weekend saw Mikel Arteta shuffle his pack in attack, preferring Gabriel Jesus as his No.9 with Kai Havertz behind in midfield. The Brazilian struggled ahead of the German, as Arsenal succumbed to a 2-0 loss at home to Aston Villa, highlighting a severe weakness in the depth at Arteta's fingertips.

Jesus has been blighted with injuries in his second campaign in north London, with Eddie Nketiah failing to get much of a chance in attack this season, either. Havertz has been favoured – but Arsenal lack a Plan B. 

Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal against Aston Villa in April 2024.

Gabriel Jesus has struggled this season at Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)

Gazzetta dello Sport has today reported that Arsenal are still chasing Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee, a leftfield choice from the nine-figure striking talents of Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen previously touted for a move to N5.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has previously revealed that Arteta and co. are offering the Dutch hitman £115,000 a week to move to the Premier League, in a move that would likely see him play as a rotational option around the likes of Havertz, Jesus and wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

In FourFourTwo's view, the move is extremely likely to happen – and we even tipped Arsenal to make it earlier this month – but it could hinge on price.

Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna FC looks on during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and Genoa CFC at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on January 05, 2024 in Bologna, Italy.

Joshua Zirkzee is tipped to sign for Arsenal (Image credit: Getty Images)

With Bologna enjoying a superb season under Thiago Motta, there are plenty of suitors for Zirkzee – and Arsenal have been touted by some to have to pay €70m for the 22-year-old, should they wish to bring him in.

Zirkzee is valued at €40m by Transfermarkt

More Arsenal stories

Arsenal are about to replace Oleksandr Zinchenko following the Ukrainian's bad performance against Aston Villa. One wonderkid could be about to leave too, with Gabriel Jesus set for a departure

The Gunners could sign a controversial striker, however, while Joshua Kimmich has been linked. Former vice-chairman David Dein, meanwhile, has shared a story of how the Invincibles would intimidate their opponents

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.

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