BREAKING TRANSFER NEWS: Arsenal ‘talks ongoing’ with superstar striker wanted by Manchester United

Arsenal and a striker are in talks, and Arsenal may be able to outsmart Manchester United.

The Gunners have had no trouble scoring goals in the second half of the season, as Mikel Arteta’s team leads the goal difference standings. However, since Eddie Nketiah hasn’t played much since Christmas and Gabriel Jesus has struggled with injuries this season, finding a new center-forward is still top of the priority list.

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A move for Joshua Zirkzee would provide Arsenal with something they don’t currently have.

Arsenal has made Joshua Zirkzee a target. Image courtesy of Alamy

Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna is reportedly in talks with Arsenal about a possible summer transfer, according to newspaper Tuttosport. The big center-forward’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, is also involved. A five-year contract is reportedly in the works.

An interest in the Dutch youth international, who rose through the ranks at Feyenoord and Bayern Munich before moving to Bologna in 2022, is also reported to have been expressed by AC Milan, Inter, Aston Villa, and Manchester United. At this point, all that is provided is the suggestion that Zirkzee would be receiving a weekly salary of about £100,000 in compensation.

Arsenal has been without a center-forward presence up front since Olivier Giroud left for Chelsea in 2018. However, unlike the Frenchman, Zirkzee has not scored a headed goal this season. The 6’4″ striker could provide that presence.

His goal totals this season, however, indicate that he is capable of finishing with either foot; he has scored six goals with his right foot and five with his left.

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Zirkzee is also renowned for his work ethic off the ball; according to FBRef data, this season’s forward tackles in Europe’s top five leagues have put him in the 84th percentile. More intriguingly, Zirkzee is a skilled ball handler as well, ranking in the top 12% of Big Five league forwards in terms of how many times he can get past his opponent in a typical game.

An all-around striker who can contribute to the team and do more to help Arsenal’s wingers and midfielders, who have been in excellent goal-scoring form this season, could be a valuable asset for Mikel Arteta’s team as they look to build on their title challenge from this year.

Under manager Thiago Motta, who has ties to Liverpool, Bologna is having its best season in decades and appears headed for a top-four finish for the first time since 1967.