Transfer Talk: Juventus join Arsenal, AC Milan in race for Zirkzee

The summer transfer window won’t reopen in Europe for a while yet, but there are plenty of moves in the works and gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Juventus join Arsenal and AC Milan in Zirkzee race

Juventus have joined Arsenal and AC Milan in showing an interest in Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee, as has been reported by Sky Sports Italia.

Even though the 22-year-old is under contract with Bologna, Juventus have made initial contacts with Bayern Munich about a possible move, as the Bavarians have a clause that allows them to re-sign the Dutchman after he left them during the summer of 2022. If Bayern do exercise that option, Juventus will be willing to negotiate with them in order to sign the striker.

This comes with Zirkzee having played an integral role in Bologna’s push for a Champions League spot this term, impressing with his performances in addition to scoring 10 league goals and providing a further four assists.

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Juventus aren’t the only ones looking to sign Zirkzee, with Arsenal ready to offer him €6m-per-year as they aim to bring in a striker during the summer.

AC Milan are also keen to bring in a frontman ahead of the 2024-25 season and would like the Dutchman to be the person leading the line for them.

Juventus could move again for talent on and off the pitch from Bologna, as they will look to appoint Thiago Motta if manager Massimiliano Allegri departs at the end of the season and are the current frontrunners to sign 21-year-old defender Riccardo Calafiori.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Juventus could offload Matìas Soulè, Samuel Iling-Junior and Moise Kean in order to fund a move for Teun Koopmeiners, according to Calciomercato, with Atalanta demanding close to €60m for the 26-year-old midfielder. Soule has interest from the Premier League and Napoli while being valued at €35m-€40m, Spurs are looking at Iling-Junior, who is valued at €15m-€20m, and I Bianconeri want €25m for Kean.

– Atletico Madrid are among the clubs showing an interest in Fulham attacking midfielder Andreas Pereira, reports Sky Sports, with the 28-year-old also receiving interest from two big clubs and sides from Italy. Pereira’s camp expects the Cottagers to consider offers made during the summer window and his preference is to stay in the Premier League.

– Real Madrid are interested in River Plate attacking midfielder Franco Mastantuono, reports AS, with the 16-year-old’s Italian family ties allowing him to move to Europe during the summer rather than waiting until he turns 18. However, there is competition from other clubs across Europe and Los Blancos are put off by his €45m release clause.

– Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Sávio, according to Football Insider, with the winger having impressed during his loan from Troyes to Girona this term. The 19-year-old isn’t expected to go straight into Pep Guardiola’s starting lineup but will be part of the matchday squads.

– Lazio are interested in signing Ibrahima Sissoko as a free agent when the midfielder’s contract with Strasbourg expires at the end of the season, as reported by Sky Sports Italia. They will face competition for the 26-year-old, though, as Fiorentina and Bologna are also looking at him.