Everton are ahead of West Ham United in the race to sign Manchester City star Oleksandr Zinchenko as the summer window starts to gather pace.
According to Goal, Merseyside giants Everton are leading the pack in pursuit of Manchester City superstar Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer transfer window.
The Ukrainian international is somewhat of a utility man at the Etihad and can play in several positions. He is primarily featured as a left-back for Pep Guardiola’s side and has played an important role in their title-winning seasons under the Catalan. However, his time at the club could soon be coming to an end, with Everton and West Ham United interested in signing him.
Everton staved off relegation by the skin of their teeth, and reinforcements are the need of the hour to avoid another fight for their lives in the upcoming 2022/23 campaign. Despite the team’s need for a left-back, Everton are keen to deploy Zinchenko further upfield.
It is an interesting proposition given the Ukranians’ movement and crossing ability. A move to Goodison Park will also see Zinchenko team up with an international teammate, Vitaliy Mykolenko, who is Everton’s lone specialist senior left-back. Whether this familiarity is something that Frank Lampard and co are keen to exploit is debatable.
At 25, Zinchenko is far from a first-team player at Manchester City. However, he has, time and again, showcased the ability to step up and has also garnered enough experience in the English top flight. Pep Guardiola is keen to bring in a left-back this summer and has set his sights on Marc Cucurella. Signing the Brighton star will more or less be a direct threat to Zinchenko gaining regular minutes.
A resurgent West Ham United, led by former Everton boss David Moyes, are also keeping tabs on Zinchenko. The Hammers already have a talented left-back in Aaron Cresswell but the 32-year-old isn’t just getting older but has also let his disciplinary issues cost the team at times. Arthur Masuaku is staring at an uncertain future at the club as well. Thus, bringing in Zinchenko will add to West Ham’s options.
At 25, the Ukrainian international could very lock down the position for years to come at the London Stadium. However, Everton appear to be ahead in the race for the 25-year-old. A move to Everton might be a step down for Zinchenko who is used to competing for trophies every season. The Blues are as far away from glory as possible.
However, under Lampard, they can hope to close the gap to the top-six slowly yet steadily should they show off their acumen in the transfer window. Zinchenko is a proven winner who deserves more game-time than what he gets at the Etihad. Moving to Everton will give him more opportunities to impress and also the opportunity to make a name for himself as a first XI regular.
