Why Arsenal cannot activate Joshua Zirkzee release clause as Bologna confirm transfer obstacle
Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio has revealed why Arsenal cannot activate Joshua Zirkzee's release clause. The Gunners are admirers of the 22-year-old striker as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his attacking options.
Over the past few weeks, Arsenal have been linked with the likes of Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen. However, Zirkzee has now emerged as a potential future signing after impressing for Bologna this season.
The Dutch forward has scored eight goals and registered four assists in 22 appearances so far this term. Zirkzee would offer a completely different profile in attack for Arteta — given that the 22-year-old is 6ft 4ins tall — as Arsenal look to solve their goalscoring problems to reignite their Premier League title challenge.
Bologna would want a fee in the region of £50million but it has now been revealed that Zirkzee has a release clause included in his current contract. However, Di Vaio confirmed that the clause is only valid for Bayern Munich, who signed the striker from Feyenoord when he was a teenager.
It's unclear how much Zirkzee's release clause would cost to activate, but it's clear the Gunners would have to meet the Italian outfit's asking price if they were to secure a deal to sign the Dutchman this month. Arsenal are open to doing business in January but need to be careful with their finances following their £200million spending spree in the summer.
Reports have stated the feeling within the north London club is that their squad is currently well-balanced, when everyone is fit, and that any new arrivals would have to be able to greatly strengthen the team. Gabriel Jesus has now returned to full team training this week, along with Fabio Vieira, handing Arteta a huge boost in terms of his
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