Man Utd handed huge boost in £34m Arsenal transfer battle as Nottingham Forest eye bargain deal

While international fans have been waiting for Euro 2024 to return to action this weekend, transfer rumours have been flying on the domestic level. The window is approaching the one-month mark and deals have already been finalised within the Premier League.

Ahead of England’s return to the European stage on Saturday, we’ve dissected some of the latest headlines on the transfer rumour mill.

Striker ‘will rebuff’ Arsenal if they approach him

Arsenal are on the market for a new striker this summer and have been linked with Joshua Zirkzee of Bologna, but they aren’t alone in their interest and they now look set to miss out on signing him too. According to CaughtOffside, the Gunners are due to miss out on their man at the hands of Manchester United, who have ‘reached an agreement on personal terms’ with Zirkzee.

The report claims that talks are being held between the Red Devils and Bologna regarding how the 23-year-old’s £34 million release clause will be paid. It also says that Zirkzee himself has ‘prioritised’ a move to Old Trafford over the Emirates, and will ‘rebuff any offer’ that may arrive from Arsenal this window.

Zirkzee has made it onto the radar of plenty of clubs this summer after contributing 12 goals and seven assists for Bologna last season.

The 3AM Verdict: While it will be disappointing to learn a target has absolutely no interest in joining the club, Arsenal won’t have any trouble finding other fish to fry. The Gunners have been linked with the likes of Alexander Isak and while he will cost a pretty hefty amount, Mikel Arteta is looking to cash in on the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, as well as other players within the squad, who will help raise the funds for a top striker capable of scoring double figures with ease.

Forest eyeing striker on free transfer

Nottingham Forest are on the market for a new striker this summer as they look to put last season’s relegation worries behind them and push on in the new season. The Reds are in need of new attacking options, as they managed to score just 49 goals throughout the campaign. Only three teams found the net fewer times than Forest, Everton, Burnley and Sheffield, and the latter two were relegated.

To avoid another battle at the bottom of the table, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side need to tighten up on several areas in the team. According to Football Insider, Forest have ‘registered their interest’ in signing Kelechi Iheanacho, who has just left Leicester City following the expiration of his contract.

The Nigeria international will be available to sign as a free agent but Aston Villa have also been sniffing around. However, with Jhon Duran still at the club, interest has dipped a little and Forest could have the perfect opening to pounce.

The 3AM Verdict: Forest can’t afford another struggling season or they may not be as lucky this time round. In the end, they finished with a decent six-point gap between them and Luton Town with other clubs strengthening around them, they must follow suit or risk being left behind. The Reds have had interest from rival clubs over some potential player sales, including Callum Hudson-Odoi and Morgan Gibbs-White, and losing players of their calibre will definitely require signing solid replacements.

Iheanacho has been a reliable goalscorer at Leicester for years but hasn’t always enjoyed a starting role, which is something he can more than likely expect at Forest. Signing him on a free transfer will also bode very well for them keeping in line with the profit and sustainability rules.