Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee has said although he dreams of pulling on the Netherlands shirt, he is also open to representing the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Zirkzee has been on the radar of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Super Eagles for a few years now despite being born in the Netherlands.
The 22-year-old has a Dutch father and a Nigerian mother, which makes him eligible to represent both countries at international level.
For much of his youth career, though, he has played for the European nation, having featured predominantly for their U15, U16, U17, U18, U19 and U21 teams.
Zirkzee open to switching nationality to Nigeria
The former Bayern Munich striker is, however, yet to be capped at senior level by the Netherlands despite his brilliant form at Bologna.
Zirkzee has been one of the most in-form players in the Italian topflight this season, having scored 10 goals and provided six assists in all competitions.
The player’s chances of making the Dutch squad for the 2024 European Championships, however, remain low with the likes of Cody Gakpo, Wout Weghorst, Memphis Depay, Donyell Malen, Xavi Simons, Steven Bergwijn, Calvin Stengs and Brian Brobbey all ahead of him.
Although Zirkzee insists it’s his ultimate dream to play for the Netherlands, the forward also conceded that he will consider representing Nigeria if his first option doesn’t materialise.
“But my dream has always been the Dutch national team. And the European Championships are not necessarily a crossroads. Like, if that doesn’t happen then, I’ll look further. I’d be grateful if it did happen. If not, I have to make sure they call me. You hope to be there one day,” the striker told Algemeen Dagblad, as per Soccernews.
Zirkzee acknowledges Super Eagles attacking options
The Bologna star also acknowledged the strong striking options available to Nigeria at the moment and admitted that he would face stiff competition for a place in the Super Eagles starting line-up.
Zirkzee cited Napoli star Victor Osimhen and Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface as forwards who would be difficult to displace in any team, in particular the Super Eagles.
Comparing the Nigerian and Dutch national teams, the 23-year-old said the attacking departments of both teams are similarly very competitive.
“But Nigeria is not a country that you just choose because you cannot play for your homeland. The competition there for attackers is perhaps just as great as in the Dutch team,” Zirkzee said.
“Nigeria has Boniface from Leverkusen and Osimhen from Napoli. And they have many more attackers. It’s not like I can think for a moment: The Netherlands isn’t calling, then I’ll choose Nigeria. Are they even pulling on me? Maybe.”
Zirkzee linked with Arsenal, Manchester United
At club level, the Super Eagles target's impressive performances for Bologna have led to him being linked to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.
The young forward is said to have a €40 million release clause and is open to moving to a club that plays in the UEFA Champions League.
Football Italia reports that Manchester United and Arsenal lead the race for Zirkzee’s signature after identifying the striker as an ideal profile for their squads.
Meanwhile, AC Milan and Napoli are also reportedly keeping an eye on the Super Eagles hopeful, with his former club Bayern Munich said to be open to a return too, as they search for an understudy for Harry Kane, who will be 31 in July.
Zirkzee came through the ranks at the German side and made his breakthrough in the first team in 2019. He was also part of the Bayern side that won the treble of Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Champions League in 2020.
The 23-year-old joined Bologna from Bayern in the summer of 2022 after successful loan spells at Parma and Anderlecht.
