Arsenal are now showing an interest in the transfer of Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee in January. So, here is everything you need to know about Mikel Arteta’s new target.
The Gunners are keen to find Arteta a new forward this month to add fresh impetus to their Premier League title bid. Arsenal only sit fourth in the table through 20 games after winning just one of their last five games. They have even only scored four goals across those fixtures.
Arsenal’s attack even only ranks as the seventh-best unit so far this season with a total of 37 goals scored. The Emirates Stadium side ranked second with 45 goals in their first 20 games last term. Bukayo Saka is currently their top scorer with six ahead of Eddie Nketiah with five.
Arsenal are interested in Joshua Zirkzee’s transfer from Bologna
Bologna forward Zirkzee is now one striker drawing Arsenal’s interest in the January transfer window. According to The Telegraph, the Gunners have identified the 22-year-old as a player who can strengthen Arteta’s attack. North London chiefs are also keeping close tabs on him.
Arsenal believe the 6 ft 4 Zirkzee could add another dimension to Arteta’s frontline, as well. While Gabriel Jesus’ knee injury has heightened Arsenal’s desire to sign a striker this month with Nketiah their only other recognised centre-forward. Kai Havertz can also play at striker.
But a move for any forward in January is challenging due to the Gunners’ finances. Bologna also value Zirkzee at £50m right now after scoring eight and assisting four goals in 22 games this season. He has offered seven goals and two assists through 19 Serie A matches thus far.
Arsenal could be more likely to target Zirkzee’s transfer at the end of the season as they bid to stay within FFP limits. But he is firmly on Arteta’s radar for a swoop this January, So, with that in mind, here is everything you need to know about Zirkzee as Arsenal eye his transfer.
Who is Arsenal transfer target Joshua Zirkzee?
Joshua Zirkzee is a centre-forward for the Serie A side Bologna and is now a transfer target for Arsenal. The 22-year-old joined the Emilia-Romagna natives in August 2022 to forge his permanent departure from Bayern Munich. He had been an FCB player since August 2017.
Bayern signed Zirkzee as a youth from Feyenoord’s academy and nurtured his development into first-team football. He also enjoyed stints with Spartaan 20 and ADO Den Haag’s youth sides. While Parma and RSC Anderlecht took Zirkzee on loan from Bayern Munich at points.
Zirkzee only made 17 senior appearances with Der FCB, though, in which he registered four goals and one assist. Each of his goal involvements came during nine Bundesliga matches in 2019/20. The striker made his final appearance at the Allianz Arena side in December 2020.
Yet Gazzetta dello Sport noted in December 2023 that Bayern Munich put a €40m (£34.5m) buy-back clause in the terms of Zirkzee’s €8m (£7m) move to Bologna in 2022. The clause is only valid for the Bavarian giants, who will also get 50% of the fee if he joins another side.
Reports by Milan Web in December 2023 also suggested that Newcastle United were willing to pay €50m (£43m) to beat AC Milan to a transfer. San Siro chiefs are keen to keep Zirkzee in Serie A as he is a tall, physical, dynamic and intelligent gem, who also communicates well.
German outlet Sport1 even reported in December 2023 that Manchester United also marked Zirkzee as a January transfer target. He would also feature high on the Red Devils’ shortlist if Bologna were to take €30m (£26m). Bayern Munich have a right to match an accepted offer.
Where and when was Joshua Zirkzee born?
Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee was born on May 22, 2001 in Schiedam, Netherlands. The city is located in the Rotterdam–The Hague metropolitan area. But Zirkzee also holds dual nationality with Nigeria through his parents, yet has so far only played for the Netherlands.
Zirkzee has represented the Netherlands at the Under-15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 21 levels since his maiden debut in April 2016. But he has not played in an international fixture at any level since June 2023. Zirkzee also captained the Netherlands U21 side and scored seven goals.
What position does Joshua Zirkzee play?
Arsenal transfer target Joshua Zirkzee predominately plays the position of a centre-forward. But the Bologna striker can also operate out wide or in behind a No9. He featured sparingly as a right-winger whilst at Bayern Munich. But his outings as anything but a striker are rare.
How good is Joshua Zirkzee?
Joshua Zirkzee has caught Arsenal’s interest in the January transfer window having enjoyed one of his best seasons of top-flight football to date this term. The forward has scored seven goals in 19 Serie A games. He has only struck more whilst on loan to RSC Anderlecht with 15.
Anderlecht took Zirkzee on loan from Bayern Munich during the 2021/22 Jupiler Pro League term, in which he featured 32 times. The Dutchman also offered eight assists that season as part of Vincent Kompany’s side. But he only has 28 career top-flight goals in 86 outings yet.
So, Arsenal would be betting on Zirkzee continuing to develop by paying the £50m price tag Bologna want in January. He has seldom proven himself to be a consistent goal threat. But, at just 22 years old, the 6 ft 4 attacker still has plenty of time to grow into their asking price.
Zirkzee has also impressed Bologna manager Thiago Motta with his attitude on and off the pitch to develop. Voetbal International journalist Suleyman Ozturk even claimed in October 2022 that Zirkzee is ‘better than Erling Haaland in almost everything’ that he gives Bologna.
“We have a lad like Joshua who is showing fantastic quality on and off the field,” Motta said, via quotes by Football Italia, in December 2023. “He works hard, is a very important figure in the locker room and must continue like this.”
Joshua Zirkzee’s stats at Bologna
Bologna signed Zirkzee from Bayern Munich to bolster their first-team squad in August 2022 but he only enjoyed a steady first season in Emilia-Romagna. The forward’s second year with I Rossoblu has, however, seen him flourish to now draw interest from Arsenal in his transfer.
Bologna, first-team: 43 appearances, 10 goals, 6 assists
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
