Manchester United and Arsenal in transfer battle for £25m Serie A starlet: report

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 03: Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, shakes hands with Erik ten Hag, Manager of Manchester United, prior to the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Manchester United at Emirates Stadium on September 03, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Manchester United and Arsenal are reportedly keeping tabs on Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee.

The ex-Bayern Munich youngster, 22, has been one of this season's standout performers in Serie A, where Bologna find themselves in the mix for Champions League qualification.

A number of top clubs are said to be keen on Zirkzee, who has scored seven goals in 15 league appearances this term.

BOLOGNA, ITALY - JANUARY 05: 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. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

Zirkzee has scored 10 goals in 37 games for Bologna overall (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to 90min, Man United and Arsenal intend to continue monitoring the former Netherlands U21 international – who is also eligible to represent Nigeria at senior level through his mother – until the summer.

The report adds that United have already held initial discussions over a potential move for Zirkzee – who joined Bologna in August 2022, having previously spent a brief time in Serie A on loan at Parma.

BOLOGNA, ITALY - JANUARY 5: Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna FC gestures during the Serie A TIM match between Bologna FC and Genoa CFC at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara on January 5, 2024 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Zirkzee has worn the Bologna captain's armband on occasion (Image credit: Getty Images)

However, both Premier League clubs could find themselves powerless if Bayern decide to come back in for the towering six-foot-four centre-forward: Bologna director Marco Di Vaio recently confirmed that the German giants have an option to buy Zirkzee back for €40m (£34.3m).

"[Zirkzee] is unlike anyone else, a unique piece," Di Vaio told La Gazzetta dello Sport last month. "[The €40m clause] only applies to Bayern. For other clubs, the price is variable."

That would appear to mean that Bologna will demand a higher fee for any suitors other than Bayern. Zirkzee is currently valued at €30m (£25.7m by Transfermarkt) and has two-and-a-half years left to run on his contract in Italy.

More transfer stories from FourFourTwo

Manchester United have been tipped to make the 'most Manchester United transfer ever'.

Meanwhile, an Arsenal star could be on his way to one of the Gunners' London rivals.

Elsewhere, Newcastle are said to be aiming to beat a number of Premier League clubs to a sought-after midfielder.

And Liverpool appear to be lining up the latest recruit in their midfield revamp.

Tom Hancock

Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...