Arsenal interest tempts Bayern Munich to buy ‘special’ £51m ace just to sell him

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Bayern Munich are considering buying Joshua Zirkzee back from Bologna just to sell the striker with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United interested in his transfer.

The 22-year-old has attracted a host of suitors after his strong season at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara so far. Zirkzee has scored 10 goals and laid on a further four assists during 26 Serie A games this term. He has also started 25 ahead of Bologna hosting Inter Milan on Saturday.

But it is the other San Siro side which appreciates the Dutchman ahead of the summer sales. Calciomercato now reports that AC Milan have viewed Zirkzee as their top transfer target for many months. But they fear any bidding war, with Arsenal heading the Premier League pack.

Arsenal are ‘very hot’ for Zirkzee’s transfer from Bologna

Arsenal are a ‘very hot’ option for Zirkzee’s transfer. But sporting director Edu might have to negotiate with Bayern Munich, rather than Bologna. Der FCB now seem intent on triggering their buyback clause so the Bundesliga giant can control the transfer market around Zirkzee.

Bayern Munich can sense the imminent bidding war their former forward is set to trigger in the off-season. AC Milan are also identifying alternatives in the fear of being priced out of a deal. The Rossoneri also like Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, who Arsenal also admire.

Liverpool, Man City and Manchester United also like Zirkzee

Reports by Gazzetta dello Sport last December revealed that Bayern Munich added a €40m (£34m) buyback clause in Zirkzee’s €8m (£7m) transfer to Bologna in 2022. It is an exclusive clause for the Allianz Arena giants, who would get 50% of any fee if he joins a different club.

Given the sell-on clause, TuttoMercatoWEB reported this February that Bologna would want €50-60m (£42.5-51m) to sell Zirkzee to Arsenal or AC Milan. TMW also cited the Gunners as the club ‘first and foremost’ in the race to bring the Schiedam native to the Premier League.

According to the Express, Liverpool and Manchester City have also developed a fondness for the forward this term. While Florian Plettenberg also suggests that Manchester United have contacted Zirkzee’s representatives to debate a possible transfer from Bologna this summer.

Zirkzee, who Bologna boss Thiago Motta believes is a ‘special’ striker, standing out against Inter Milan this Saturday would go a long way to showing why the Premier League giants are all keen. Inter lead Serie A by 15 points after 27 games and have only conceded 13 goals yet.