Bologna striker Joshua Zirkzee has indicated that he would be tempted by the chance to reunite with Vincent Kompany at Premier League newcomers Burnley.
Since taking over from Sean Dyche at Turf Moor, Kompany’s approach to the transfer market has centred largely on players he knows and trusts. The Manchester City legend worked with Josh Cullen at Anderlecht, and came up against the likes of Manuel Benson, Vitinho and Anass Zaroury during his time in the Belgian top-flight.
Burnley also made a £12 million bid for Cullen’s former Anderlecht team-mate Bart Verbruggen earlier this month. Joshua Zirkzee, another who played under Kompany at the RSCA Stadium, could also come into his thinking, especially after the Championship winners lost both Ashley Barnes and top-scorer Nathan Tella.
Zirkzee scored 18 times for Kompany’s Anderlecht in 2021/22.
Joshua Zirkzee shone under Burnley boss Vincent Kompany
“Has Kompany called yet? No, although I am in contact with many other Burnley staff,” Zirkzee smiles, in conversation with Het Nieuwsblad. “Not necessarily about a transfer.
“But if Vinny calls, it might open a door that I would like to walk through.”
Now 22, the one-time Bayern Munich youngster moved to Serie A last year for a fee of around £7 million. He found goals far harder to come in the red and blue of Bologna, however; just two in 19 games.
Zirkzee’s underwhelming impact on Italian soil has certainly eased the excitement surrounding a striker who twice turned down a move to Everton.
“Zirkzee is better than Erling Haaland at everything,” Voetbal International reporter Souleyman Ozturk said of a striker linked with Fulham, Newcastle United and West Ham last summer.
“Now you may be dismayed because of this statement. But I will frame it. (Zirkzee) has vision, technique, strength, charisma, flair, footballing ability. He is therefore better than Haaland in almost everything.
“Imagine if Zirkzee had the energy and focus of Haaland. Then he would be the best striker in the world.”
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