AC Milan struggling to reach agreement with £34 million striker, Arsenal and Man United urge forward to wait

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

HITC understands that talks are ongoing about the future of Joshua Zirkzee but AC Milan are pushing hard to get a deal done.

Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee is attracting the interest from multiple Premier League clubs with the £34 million release clause in his contract proving an attractive one.

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko was understood to be Arsenal’s top target but the Slovenian forward decided to put pen to paper on a new long-term contract in Germany.

As a result, Zirkzee has become a more attractive option for the Gunners and they’re not the only English side interested, HITC understands that Liverpool and Manchester United are also keen on the Dutchman.

Talks ongoing

Despite interest from England, sources have told HITC that talks are remaining but Milan are struggling to reach agreeable terms with his agent, Kia Joorabchian.

Joorabchian is also holding talks with United, Liverpool and Arsenal as the Italian giants struggle to agree terms to bring in the former Bayern Munich forward.

We understand Milan remain fearful and as we revealed this week they are frantically tried to finalise the deal, but we understand that the English clubs want Zirkzee to wait.

The release clause, that is proving to be an attractive one for English sides, does not kick in until the 1st of July and these clubs don’t see the need for the Dutchman to commit to a deal yet, whilst the Italian side do.

Milan’s position on Zirkzee

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Milan’s senior advisor, has spoken about the Dutch forward and Milan’s need for a number nine in a recent interview.

“Last year Milan made a great transfer market,” Ibrahimovic said. “we needed to lay the foundations. This market will focus above all on details. After Giroud’s departure, we need a new number 9.

“Jovic is there, but we are looking for a new striker. Zirkzee is a strong player, he comes from a great season. He comes from the Netherlands, whether he is another Ibra or not… there is a big difference between reality and what is said and written.

“When we talk about negotiations, we think that a club are under pressure and are trying to exploit the situation. It’s a negotiation, it goes back and forth, it’s not a charity. It has to go well for the club. We’re smart and intelligent, it’s not rock and roll.”