Arsenal were expected to pay big money for a striker this summer - but could have a bargain on their hands instead
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Arsenal have been offered a price of just £34 million to sign a top-level striker this summer, as they look to improve their squad.
Kai Havertz has emerged as the first-choice No.9 at the Emirates Stadium in recent months, with the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah both linked with exits from N5 this summer. It was believed that Mikel Arteta would target a big-money striker – but Havertz' form seems to have persuaded him otherwise.
Instead, Arsenal could see their perfect centre-forward arrive for an absolute snip, following a new bombshell.
Kai Havertz has emerged as Arsenal's first-choice striker (Image credit: Getty Images)
Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport says that though it was previously thought that Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee's £34m release clause was only active for former employers, Bayern Munich, this is not the case.
Instead, agent Kia Joorabchian has negotiated a deal with the Serie A outfit so that the Dutchman can leave at that price – to anyone. Italian newspaper Tuttosporthas recently claimed that Zirkzee and his agent – who has qualified for the Champions League with Bologna this season – is in discussions with Arsenal over a move.
In FourFourTwo's view, Zirkzee is almost certainly one of a few options on the table for Arsenal – and the 22-year-old's physical and stylistic profile suggest that the plan is to use him as a Plan B to Havertz.
Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna is wanted by Arsenal (Image credit: Alamy)
A transfer could end up hinging on wages and whether or not Arsenal are able to land their No.1 target. Benjamin Sesko is also rumoured, though it's unsure which of the two starlets is preferred right now.
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Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
