Ruud Gullit wants Milan to beat Arsenal to the signing of Super Eagles-eligible forward

Ruud Gullit pictured in 2024 (Imago/ZUMA Wire)

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Ruud Gullit wants AC Milan to sign 11-goal Serie A forward (Imago/ZUMA Wire)

Ruud Gullit wants Milan to beat Arsenal to the signing of Super Eagles-eligible forward

Seye Omidiora 07:23 - 01.06.2024

The Rossoneri legend has outlined why the 11-goal frontman suits his old club.

AC Milan legend Ruud Gullit wants his old side to sign Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee, with the 23-year-old linked with moves to the Rossoneri and Premier League side Arsenal.  

Joshua Zirkzee stats

Zirkzee had a stellar season under Thiago Motta at Bologna, scoring 11 times and assisting five for the Rossoblu, who ended the 2023-24 Serie A campaign in the Champions League spots for the first time in the club’s history. 

Three of Zirkzee's 11 goals were match-clinching strikes for the Emilia-Romagna outfit, outdone by Lewis Ferguson and Giovanni Fabbian (four), who netted the game-winning strikes from six and five goals, respectively. 

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Gullit on Zirkzee’s Milan and Arsenal transfer links

This has led to transfer rumours about the 23-year-old, whose long-term Bologna future remains uncertain, with Mikel Arteta’s side and Milan said to be interested in the former Dutch youth international. 

Joshua Zirkzee
Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee (Imago)

Gullit, 61, has disclosed why Zirkzee should be a Milan target. 

“I like Zirkzee, I’ve known him since he was playing for the Under-17 team with my son,” Gullit told Sky Sport Italia. “He is a striker with a real nose for goal, he always finds himself in the right place at the right time. He would be a good signing for Milan.”

What comes next for Zirkzee?

The future of the former Bayern Munich man will rumble on throughout the summer unless either club or any unreported interested party registers a genuine move for the forward.

Can Joshua Zirkzee still play for Nigeria?

Joshua Zirkzee
Joshua Zirkzee says playing for the Netherlands remains his dream but Nigeria door stays open. (Photo Credit: Eurofootcom/X)

Zirkzee’s omission from Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands side for Euro 2024 has resurrected Nigeria’s prospects of having the young forward represent the Super Eagles. 

Despite making a glut of appearances for youth sides since the mid-2010s, the 23-year-old has never played for the Oranje.