Joshua Zirkzee is on Arsenal’s shortlist ahead of the summer transfer window (Shutterstock)
Frank de Boer has urged Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee to join Arsenal ahead of Manchester United, Inter and AC Milan this summer.
Zirkzee has been one of Bologna’s standout performers this season as his 11 goals in Serie A helped the club finish fourth in the table, which has secured qualification for the Champions League.
Arsenal are in the market for a new striker this summer and have been monitoring Zirkzee’s progress at Bologna, however, they face strong competition with United, AC Milan and Serie A champions Inter also interested.
However, former Barcelona and Netherlands defender De Boer believes Arsenal represents the best fit for Zirkzee if he decides to move.
When asked which club would be better for Zirkzee to join this summer, De Boer told Calciomercato: ‘I have great respect for Arsenal, they have patience, for example they had it with Arteta who didn’t start well.
Joshua Zirkzee scored 11 goals for Bologna in Serie A this season (Getty)
‘In some clubs, if it happens like this you are already out. And he has played very well in the last two years, Inter also play well.
‘If I have to say someone I prefer Arsenal because they have the patience to wait for him and give him confidence.’
It’s understood that Zirkzee is available for €40 million (£34m) this summer due to a release clause in his deal with Bologna.
The 23-year-old joined the Serie A club for £10m (€8.5m) from Bayern Munich in August 2022.
Bayern also included a buyback option as part of their agreement with Bologna, although the German club have given no indication that they are looking to activate that this summer.
Earlier this month, Inter made it clear that Zirkzee is on their radar ahead of the summer transfer window.
‘Zirkzee is a great champion,’ said Inter’s vice-president Javier Zanetti.
‘We are talking about a young, talented, intelligent, physically very strong player.
‘Someone like that would be useful to any great team aiming for important goals.
Zirkzee was in contention to feature for Netherlands at Euro 2024 this summer but he was not included in Ronald Koeman’s provisional squad.
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