Striker urged to snub Man Utd for Arsenal in transfer battle as Gunners seek more firepower

Former Netherlands boss Frank de Boer has urged compatriot Joshua Zirkzee to choose Arsenal over Manchester United if he leaves Bologna this summer.

Dutch forward Zirkzee has played a big part for his club this season, helping them qualify for the Champions League for the first time in the competition's existence. Thiago Motta's side sit third in Serie A with one game remaining, with Zirkzee their top scorer with 11 goals.

The former Bayern Munich youngster was linked with a Premier League switch in January, but opted to stay put. His contract doesn't expire until 2026, but Premier League sides could test the water again this summer.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag lamented his team's inability to sign a striker in January due to profit and sustainability rules, but the arrival of new part-owner Jim Ratcliffe could be followed by a busy summer. Arsenal have also been linked with attacking reinforcements after narrowly missing out on the title, and De Boer suggested North London would represent the better move for Zirkzee.

"I have great respect for Arsenal, they have patience, for example they had it with [Mikel] Arteta who didn’t start well," ex-Inter Milan boss De Boer told Calciomercato (via Metro). "In some clubs, if it happens like this you are already out.

"And he has played very well in the last two years, Inter also play well. If I have to say someone I prefer Arsenal because they have the patience to wait for him and give him confidence."

De Boer's old employers Inter could yet throw a spanner in the works if they're forced to offload Lautaro Martinez. Additionally, Zirkzee's former club Bayern Munich are understood to have a buy-back option on the 23-year-old, though they're not understood to be exploring a