Arsenal could land summer transfer target for bargain fee after 'release clause' breakthrough
One Serie A star could head to Emirates Stadium this summer after ‘super-agent’ hands Arsenal lifeline
Arsenal have long been linked with a move Bologna’s Joshua Zirkzee, with rumours continually cropping up that suggest they will soon be making a bid.
The latest news with regards to the Gunners pursuit of Zirkzee now indicates that ‘super-agent’ Kia Joorabchian will be handing Arsenal a huge opportunity to sign the striker after negotiating the Dutch forward’s release clause.
Zirkzee has been in fine form for Bologna this season, scoring 11 goals and registering a further five assists in 35 Serie A appearances. Having joined the Italian side in August 2022, Zirkzee is currently on a contract that should see him remain at the club until June 2026.
However, the 22-year-old striker reportedly has an agreement in place with the Serie A side that he can leave for €40m (£34m). This had initially been thought to just be for his former club Bayern Munich. However, the latest reports from Corriere dello Sport, via SportWitness, have indicated that Zirkzee’s agent has managed to negotiate the release clause so it can now be applicable to any willing suitor.
The deal is also believed to include a clause whereby if Bayern bring the striker back to the Allianz Arena then sell him on, Joorabchian would receive the difference. So, if Bayern were to sell Zirkzee for €50m, the ‘super-agent’ would receive a tidy sum of €10m in commission.
It’s not yet known whether this release clause will tempt Arsenal into a deal for the 22-year-old, but the opportunity to pay a reasonable release clause rather than entering lengthy transfer fee negotiations could tempt them into make a move. The Gunners have been linked the Dutchman for months and reports at the beginning of the month suggested Arteta’s club were ‘ready to pounce’. Stories then emerged which link the Gunners more closely to Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, with interest in Zirkzee seemingly cooling down.
Arsenal do have extensive history of working with Joorabchian and it is unclear as to whether the club would wish to revisit this relationship. However, a move for Zirkzee certainly seems more feasible than in the past, if the agent has indeed successfuly negotiated the terms of his client’s contract.