Joshua Zirkzee could double Manchester United problem rather than solve it

You only have to look at Joshua Zirkzee's place of birth to see why he might be a transfer target for Manchester United this summer.

The Dutch striker never overlapped with Erik ten Hag during their respective spells with Bayern Munich but he is a player very much cut from the cloth that he wears himself.

Zirkzee, 22, is yet to make his senior debut at international level but the feeling is that it won't be too far away. He has shone for the Netherlands across all age groups and turned down the chance to play for Nigeria in favour of the country of his birth.

TRANSFER NEWS: United make decision on Amad

EXCLUSIVE: Brailsford meeting former United staff with 'brutal' changes planned

He left Bayern Munich two years ago in pursuit of first-team football and, after loan spells with Parma and Anderlecht, found that platform with Bologna. He has started in all but one of their Serie A matches this season, netting seven goals in the process. That's as many as Victor Osimhen, although he has a much worse minutes per goal ratio.

Yet there is a reason he is leading the line for a team flirting with Europe in Italy, rather than even being recognised as a backup option for Bayern. Zirkzee wanted to leave amid a lack of opportunities and the German club didn't put up much of a fight to keep him either.

The chance to play regularly has certainly helped Zirkzee progress as a player at his current club and he is handling the weight of expectation wonderfully well given how inexperienced he was when he joined.

Arsenal are understood to be another side that would like to sign the Dutch forward this summer and they are crying out for a striker like him who combines both the physical presence and agility required to play in the Premier