Manchester United and Arsenal in transfer battle for £25m Serie A starlet: report
The two Premier League big boys could face stiff competition from another European giant, though
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.
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.
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."
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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 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...