ARSENAL are reportedly prepared to offer Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee a £115,000-a-week contract.
But they face fierce competition from Italy, with newly-crowned Serie A champions Inter Milan poised to make a move.
And, even if they can tempt the Dutch striker to leave Italy, the Gunners will also have to fend off Man Utd and Aston Villa.
According to Tuttosport, Zirkzee, 22, is at the top of Arsenal’s summer transfer list.
Mikel Arteta’s side are said to have contacted the player’s agent already over a deal until 2029.
And they could have the edge over Inter, with the Italians likely to struggle to match Bologna’s £51million price-tag.
That fee would still be a significant chunk of Arsenal’s summer transfer kitty, especially if they want to abide by the new Premier League spending cap.
But club scouts have been impressed by the Bologna number nine’s 12 goals and seven assists in 35 games across all competitions.
The tally compares to Gabriel Jesus’s eight goals and seven assists in 33 games, and Kai Havertz’s 13 goals and 6 assists in 48.
And, while there isn’t a huge difference in terms of stats, his youth is considered a factor in Arsenal’s interest.
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The club do have a backup plan in case a deal for Zirkzee falls through.
Inter Live reported that Arsenal are also eyeing up Inter Marcus Thuram.
With 14 goals and 13 assists across 43 games, he could be the catalyst to Arteta’s title push next season.
The report claims that Arsenal could even offer Gabriel Jesus plus £26million to tempt Inter to do business.
SunSport understands that, while Jesus accepts that he has not hit the expected standards this campaign, he is very settled at Arsenal and wants to fight for his place in Arteta’s side.
Mikel Arteta’s striker shopping list
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
