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Arsenal leading AC Milan in race to sign Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna

Arsenal are first and foremost in the race to sign Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee at the end of the season, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.

The Gunners are likely to pursue a marquee striker during the next transfer window. Zirkzee has been mentioned as one of the top targets.

This has been reiterated by TuttoMercatoWeb who claim that the Gunners are leading AC Milan in the pursuit due to their excellent relationship with Zirkzee’s representatives.

Bayern currently have a €40 million buy-back clause in Zirkzee’s contract while they would also be entitled to 50 per cent of the profit, should the Dutchman move to another club.

Taking this into mind, Bologna value their prized asset in the region of €50-60m.

Zirkzee would not be a marquee signing for Arsenal

Zirkzee has had a good second campaign with Bologna with 10 goals and six assists.

However, his statistics are not exemplary. The 22-year-old has potential, but he is more of a striker, who likes to link up play rather than a traditional poacher in the box.

He has averaged 21 passes per league outing for his club this season, but has lacked the cutting edge up front with a shot to goal conversion rate of only 14 per cent.

In comparison, Arsenal’s other target Ivan Toney has a conversion rate of 22 per cent this season. It was only slightly less at 21 per cent in the Premier League last term.

In our view, we would rather see the Gunners invest the funds on Toney than Zirkzee, who may need time to adapt and find consistency which the club can’t afford.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com

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