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Man Utd ‘in talks’ for £34m striker to leave Arsenal transfer plans in tatters
Manchester United could disrupt Arsenal's transfer plans as Erik ten Hag searches for a striker.
Erik ten Hag laments very soft goals as Man Utd drew 2-2 with Spurs
Arsenal transfer target Joshua Zirkzee has emerged on Erik ten Hag's radar as he searches for a striker signing at Manchester United, according to reports. The Bologna frontman has attracted the interest of a host of European heavyweights and could be the subject of a Premier League battle this summer.
The Telegraph report that Arsenal are among Zirkzee's admirers amid concerns over Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah.
Mikel Arteta is said to want another striker this month, but the club are wary of Financial Fair Play after splashing another £200million last summer.
It's claimed Bologna have priced suitors out of a January move by demanding at least £50m for Zirkzee. However, United could be in line for his signature later this year.
According to Sky Germany, United approached the Serie A outfit about a potential transfer in January, with talks taking place before it became clear they had no intention of selling this winter.
However, Zirkzee reportedly has a release clause worth £34m that clubs can trigger in the summer, and United chiefs think of the 22-year-old highly.
He has registered eight goals and four assists in 22 appearances for Bologna this season, finding his feet in Italy after leaving boyhood club Bayern Munich almost two years ago.
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Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has also publicly rejected the possibility of Zirkzee departing in the coming weeks.
"How many phone calls have we received? None. And we wouldn't answer anyway," Di Vaio told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Joshua is a nine-and-a-half [a striker and a playmaker], yes, but he doesn't resemble anyone. He's a unique player."
United and Arsenal could be sniffing around similar areas this summer, with both Ten Hag and Arteta longing for a top-class striker who can arrive and guarantee goals.
Arsenal have scored more than two goals once in the last nine games, finding the net just five times during their current run of one win and four defeats in their last seven outings.
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Meanwhile, Rasmus Hojlund has two goals in as many Premier League matches as he continues to settle after his £72m arrival at United from Atalanta in the summer.
The 20-year-old Dane is United's top goalscorer this term, with seven in all competitions, including five in the Champions League group stage.
But Anthony Martial has been absent often, offering little competition, and the Red Devils have scored just 24 goals in 21 league games.
Victor Osimhen and Ivan Toney are two more strikers linked with both clubs ahead of the summer.