Arsenal Transfers: Gunners battling Premier League club for Oleksandr Zinchenko

Arsenal are not the only Premier League club interested in signing Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer. West Ham, too, are keen on bringing the Ukrainian international to London.

Zinchenko has twice been in action over the past week as Ukraine attempted to reach the 2022 World Cup via the play-offs. However, after they comfortably beat Scotland 3-1 in their semi-final, they fell at the final hurdle as Wales progressed at their expense.

Zinchenko, meanwhile, was particularly brilliant in Sunday’s defeat as his potential in a midfield role was once again on full display. The unsung City hero will consider his future this summer, but such considerations were put on hold due to Ukraine’s crucial June fixtures.

Arsenal & West Ham are both interested in signing Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer

Arsenal’s desire to sign the versatile Ukrainian has been well-documented for quite some time now, and the Evening Standard recently re-affirmed the club’s interest in the player.

However, they also report that Premier League rivals West Ham are also keen on signing Zinchenko this summer. Both clubs are said to be huge admirers of the 25-year-old’s versatility.

Zinchenko has struggled to prolong his stay in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI at the Etihad, but the function he often performs is a complex one that’s tricky to master. While he lines up as a left-back, the positions he takes up when City have the ball means he essentially operates as a left-sided midfielder.

Thus, he seems like the perfect profile for the Gunners, who need cover at both left-back and on the left side of central midfield.

Arsenal, though, view Zinchenko as a midfielder and this promise of minutes in a more advanced position could entice the Ukrainian international. The City man is too good a player to not be playing regular football at the highest level.

On the contrary, West Ham are desperate for cover at left-back. Although, the Hammers have also been proactive in their pursuit of midfield reinforcements. They’re willing to spend big at this position having failed with a £50m bid for Kalvin Phillips in January.