Arsenal are expected to hunt for a new striker ahead of the new season as Mikel Arteta spies the chance to bolster his attack.
The Gunners have been linked with a number of names already, both wide players and central strikers. Many feel Arsenal lack a natural central threat with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah scoring just 14 goals between them all season.
Kai Havertz, often played as a deep-lying nine, managed to tally that total on his own. Nketiah could be one of a number of academy players sold this summer in order to give the club more scope within spending rules.
If he does head out of the Emirates Stadium, then the likelihood of a replacement striker arriving increases. Arsenal were linked with Benjamin Sesko before the Slovenian penned a new deal at RB Leipzig earlier this month.
The attacker was thought to have held a £55m release clause in his contract, but there is now an opportunity to land another attacker, who reportedly has a cheaper buy-out clause, and steal him from their rivals at the same time.
Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is being heavily linked with Manchester United, with the club reportedly opening talks with his agent. Arsenal have also been linked with the 23-year-old, who scored 12 goals in 37 matches last season.
The attacker joined up late with the Netherlands squad for Euro 2024 after being called in as backup amid a spate of injury worries in the Dutch squad. He is said to hold a £34m release clause in his contract and this would be a cheaper buy for Arsenal.
Zirkzee could also be more willing to play as a rotational player and would be a step up from Nketiah, with more experience behind him. Crucially though, triggering his transfer clause would open up an extra £21m to play with compared to Sesko’s former buy-out fee.
Arsenal also require strengthening in other areas, albeit have to manage funds within Premier League spending rules. Grabbing a bargain deal for a striker where they can allows for more to be spent on a new midfielder and winger, and perhaps a left-back too.
Arsenal can offer something United cannot – Champions League football. By pinching Zirkzee from under their noses, they can get one over on their rivals and dent their transfer plans ahead of a season of pressure for Erik ten Hag.
