Why Arsenal hold key advantage over Man Utd & Serie A clubs in pursuit of Bologna hitman Joshua Zirkzee – explained

Arsenal are favourites to sign Bologna star Joshua Zirkzee in the summer amid interest from Manchester United and Italian clubs.

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• Arsenal favourites to land Zirkzee
• Man Utd likely to miss out on transfer
• AC Milan and Juventus interested

• Table of Contents

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  The 22-year-old Dutch forward netted 11 goals and provided five assists in 34 Serie A games in the current season and played a crucial role in Bologna securing a Champions League slot. His impressive show for Thiago Motta's side has caught the eyes of Premier League giants Arsenal, United, Juventus and AC Milan.

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  THE EXPLANATION

  However, reports that the Gunners are the current frontrunners to secure the Netherlands international's signature in the summer. The Rossoblu reportedly set the player's price tag at €70 million (£60m/$76m) which effectively rules out Milan and the Bianconeri. The Red Devils, on the other hand, could find it difficult to convince the player to head to Old Trafford as he would like to play in the Champions League next season. With United already out of the Premier League top-four race, the only options that remain open for the striker are staying at his current club or joining Mikel Arteta's side.

• WHAT THIAGO MOTTA SAID

  Motta is known to be an admirer of the young attacker as he once claimed that the Dutchman reminded him of his former team-mate and legendary Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho.

  Speaking to , Motta said: "He said that his idols are [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic and [Gabriel] Batistuta, who are two excellent players, but, seeing him day to day, he reminds me of the Ronaldinho I played with at Barcelona. But I cannot compare him to anyone. He is just Joshua, and he is special."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR JOSHUA ZIRKZEE?

  The former Bayern Munich player will be next seen in action for his club on May 20 against Juventus in a Serie A clash at home.