Arsenal have now offered a ‘special’ striker a contract following talks with his agent in an attempt to see him snub any potential transfer to Manchester United this summer.

The Gunners and Red Devils are set to play big roles in the centre-forward market during the off-season. Mikel Arteta and Erik ten Hag both feel it is a position they need to improve after seeing their respective sides struggle at times. But they are not the only clubs seeking goals.

Five goals by Eddie Nketiah are the most that Arsenal have seen an out-and-out striker score in the Premier League this term. Gabriel Jesus has even hit the back of a net only four times. Rasmus Hojlund is Manchester United’s top-scoring striker on eight since joining in August.

Arsenal offer Joshua Zirkzee a five-year contract for a transfer from Bologna

One of the potential striker targets whom many teams in Europe admire is Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna. According to Tuttosport, Arsenal, AC Milan and Juventus are all studying moves for the 22-year-old as they see Zirkzee as a complete, modern No9 who can also score freely.

Arsenal have also made Zirkzee their top target and want to get a jump on their Italian rivals for his transfer. The north London natives have opened talks with the Dutchman’s agent, Kia Joorabchian, too. They have even put a contract offer on the table for the attacker to review.

The Emirates Stadium giants have offered Zirkzee a five-year contract worth €6m-a-season (£99k-a/w) to sign for Arsenal this summer. He can also earn bonuses above the basic salary in the deal. While the Gunners intend to make Bologna their first offer in the coming weeks.

Joshua Zirkzee wants to join AC Milan over Arsenal or Manchester United

Arsenal are moving strongly for Zirkzee’s transfer as they believe he is the perfect striker for boss Arteta. The Premier League side feel his personality on and off the ball would be ideal for their manager’s system. He has also scored 12 and assisted seven goals so far this term.

Zirkzee has offered 11 of his goals plus five assists through 31 Serie A appearances to attract transfer interest from Manchester United. Gazzetta dello Sport reported earlier in April that the Old Trafford outfit have already approached Bologna to discuss a move for their attacker.

Additionally, it noted that I Rossoblu value Zirkzee at the €75m (£64.5m), plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons, that Manchester United paid Atalanta to sign Hojlund last summer. But Gazzetta claims that Arsenal and the Red Devils’ biggest issue is Zirkzee’s preference to join AC Milan.

The striker, whom his Bologna boss Thiago Motta calls ‘special’, views a switch to San Siro as his clear priority. Arsenal may, therefore, have to hope that an offer to pay Zirkzee £99k-a/w is enough to change the Schiedam-born star’s mind and accept a transfer to north London.

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