Arsenal and Man Utd remain interested in striker scouted by ex-Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr 

English Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United are still pursuing a deal for Joshua Zirkzee amid speculation linking the highly-rated Bologna striker with a summer move to Serie A powerhouse AC Milan. 

The Bayern Munich academy product was a player of interest to the Nigeria Football Federation during Gernot Rohr's reign as coach of the Super Eagles. 

Rohr, now coaching Republic of Benin's Cheetahs, saw firsthand the qualities of Zirkzee when he personally scouted him on his full Germany Bundesliga debut against Hoffenheim in February 2020, but his efforts to persuade the dual-national to change his allegiance from the Netherlands to Nigeria were ultimately futile.

According to Sky Sport Italia via Sky Sports,  Arsenal and Manchester United are closely monitoring developments with Bologna star Zirkzee amid strong interest from AC Milan.

The Gunners are hell-bent on signing a young striker in the summer transfer window and have also been linked with possible moves for Brighton & Hove's Evan Ferguson (19) and RB Leipzig's young sensation Benjamin Šeško (21). 

AC Milan have held contract talks with representatives of Zirkzee but the race for the Netherlands U21 international is still on as nothing has been agreed with the Rossoneri as of now. 

The Dutch-Nigerian player is under contract with Bologna until June 30, 2026, and has a release clause of 40 million euros. 

Zirkzee was a key player for the Bologna team that qualified for next season's UEFA Champions League, registering sixteen goal involvements from 34 games in the top-flight of Italian football. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Photo Credit: bolognafc.it

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