Joshua Zirkzee has the eyes of top European clubs firmly fixed on him as he continues his development at Bologna, and Saturday’s game at San Siro against AC Milan could be an audition of sorts.
This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (as seen below) recalls that Bologna sporting director Marco Di Vaio told them Bayern Munich have a €40m buy-back clause for Zirkzee while for other clubs the price is open.
Indeed the forward will be the diamond – already on display for a while – that half of Europe will desire next summer and Bologna are taking precautions by trying to sign Santiago Castro, who could be his replacement.
While Zirkzee hasn’t scored for a month, his performances have suggested he is more unlucky then anything. He has hit the woodwork, provided for his team-mates and provided a backheel assist that helped knock Inter out of the Coppa Italia.
The Dutchman’s last goal dates back to 10 December away against Salernitana which was a brace. Bologna won and also secured being fourth place at Christmas, but since then they have struggled to keep that same pace.
Zirkzee’s next game will be at San Siro against Milan, a team who have scouted him in person on at least two occasions and thus could become his potential future home, but the hunt for Joshua is certainly not limited only to Italy.
In recent weeks, two Premier League clubs have begun to be linked to the 22-year-old who has so far scored seven goals, starting with Arsenal who are apparently willing to offer €50m.
Manchester United sent scouts to Italy as they consider another forward signing from the league after they got Rasmus Hojlund from Atalanta for €70m plus €10m in bonuses.
Director Giovanni Sartori takes Hojlund as a reference: if he went for €80m, then he is rubbing his hands at how much Zirkzee could go for.
In all of this, then, Bayern Munich are in command because they have a €40m clause to buy him back or they would collect 40% of the proceeds from the capital gain generated by a possible future resale elsewhere.
The auction will open and Milan – after winning the first game of the season in Bologna – will see Zirkzee matured and in their own theatre. It will be a chance to watch, and possibly talk.
Overhyped fraud
Not what Milan needs. The replacement/young version of giroud is urgently needed. A striker with imposing physical stature with ability to give assist tight marking situations, eye for goals, & air-duel dominance.
And in Zee you don’t see ANY of that? 🙂 Good thing you’re not a scout then.