Unai Emery now wants to sign £34m striker who Arsenal were planning bid for

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Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are facing competition from Unai Emery’s Aston Villa for Joshua Zirkzee.

That is according to TuttoJuve, which has reported how much Arsenal and Villa would have to pay for Zirkzee.

So, what has been reported about Joshua Zirkzee? Let’s take a look.

Aston Villa and Arsenal want Joshua Zirkzee

Well, according to TuttoJuve, Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the clubs who are interested in signing Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna in the January transfer window.

The report in the Italian news outlet has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Juventus are also keen on Zirkzee.

The 22-year-old Dutch striker has a release clause of €40 million (£34.15 million) in his contract at Bologna.

Earlier this week, La Gazzetta dello Sport (print edition, page 17, January 24, 2024) reported that Arsenal are determined to sign Zirkzee and have set aside €50 million (£43 million) for a summer bid for the striker.

My View: Arsenal should bid for Joshua Zirkzee now

In my opinion, if Arsenal think that Joshua Zirkzee is a striker who will help them, then they should bid for him now.

I do not see any point in Arsenal, who are aiming to win the Premier League title this season, waiting until the summer of 2024 to get a deal done now. After all, there is stiff competition for his signature.

Yes, I understand that there are Financial Fair Play (FFP) issues to tackle, but there is always a loan deal with an obligation to make it permanent on the table. 

Zirkzee has made 18 starts and one substitute appearance in Serie A for Bologna this season. He has scored seven goals and given two assists in those games.

The young striker scored two goals and gave two assists in five starts and 14 substitute appearances in Serie A last season.