Arsenal Transfers: ‘Growing belief’ that a deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko will be struck

Arsenal are growing in confidence that they’ll be able to strike a deal with Manchester City for Oleksandr Zinchenko after missing out on Lisandro Martinez.

The Gunners were seemingly priced out of a move for the Ajax defender with Martinez now set to reunite with his former boss Erik ten Hag at Manchester United after a €55m deal was agreed between the two clubs.

Arsenal, though, swiftly overcame this disappointment and began to explore alternative left-back options. City’s Zinchenko is now the priority and it appears that this is a move that could get done pretty soon.

Arsenal confident of striking a deal with Manchester City for Oleksandr Zinchenko

After the Daily Mail’s Jack Gaughan reported that Zinchenko was set to complete a £35m switch to north London “in the coming days”, Charles Watts tweeted on Friday morning that there’s a “growing belief that Arsenal and City will strike a deal over Zinchenko”.

Watts did add that while nothing has been agreed upon, talks are “going well” and “moving in the right direction”.

These reports are music to the ears of Arsenal supporters who are excited by the prospect of the versatile Ukrainian joining the club. Zinchenko was linked with a move to the Emirates earlier this summer before the club opted to prioritise a move for Ajax’s Martinez.

Mikel Arteta is clearly after a flexible defender who can provide depth at several positions. While Martinez can function as a left-back, centre-back and holding midfielder, Zinchenko, who has performed a rather complex left-back role for Pep Guardiola, plays in midfield for the national team. Thus, the 25-year-old could be an option for Arteta in the left-sided #8 role – a position that certainly needs bolstering this summer.

If Arsenal can secure Zinchenko for £35m this summer, I’m sure many regard United’s dogged pursuit of Martinez as a blessing in disguise. While the Argentine would’ve been such an intriguing bit of business from the Gunners, Zinchenko’s technical prowess, versatility, and invaluable Premier League experience mean the 25-year-old is the perfect option for Arteta.

Fingers crossed that the club can get this one over the line!