Arsenal’s chances of acquiring Joshua Zirkzee, a striker for Bologna, this summer may be jeopardized if Juventus decides to pursue Thiago Motta in lieu of Massimiliano Allegri.

Allegri is reportedly expected to depart the Italian powerhouse this summer, therefore the team will be searching for a replacement. According to reports, Motta, who is now in charge of Bologna, a team in Serie A, is the front-runner for the position.


The likelihood that Juventus will try to sign Zirkzee in the summer may rise if he is appointed. With 11 goals in 33 Serie A games, the striker has thrived under Motta this season, leading Bologna to fourth place in the standings.

Although Gazzetta dello Sport notes that Arsenal is the front-runners “on an economic level,” a €60 million (£51.4 million) deal is “not a problem” for the Gunners during the summer transfer window, despite Juve’s interest in the attacker. Since the January transfer window, Arsenal has been linked to a deal for Zirkzee as they look for a true striker.

Bologna’s 0-0 draw with Torino on Friday allowed them to stay in fourth position in the league. Following the game, Motta was questioned about his future because his deal expires in the summer. He remarked, “We’ve come to a point where I have to emphasize that we accomplished something unexpected and unthinkable.”


“Our goal is to get to the Champions League and win everything. That is the main problem; it doesn’t matter what happens to me or the other participants in the future. I will always act in the best interests of the club, and we will get together at the appropriate time to discuss whether or not we can continue together.

Another team expressing interest before the summer is Inter Milan. The club president made a suggestion that, following their victory in Serie A, they will try to move for Zirkzee this summer.