Arsenal have reportedly reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Oleksandr Zinchenko for a fee of around £30 million.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City for the transfer of Oleksandr Zinchenko. The Gunners are expected to pay a £30 million fee for the Ukraine captain as Mikel Arteta inches closer to securing a player he has so desperately wanted.
Arsenal’s links with Oleksandr Zinchenk began at the start of the transfer window, but the Gunners cooled their interest to focus on other signings. With their primary target secured with the arrival of Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, the Ukrainian utility man could soon reunite with the Brazilian at the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta has been keen on landing a versatile player who could operate in defence and midfield while providing ample competition to Kieran Tierney at left-back. Lisandro Martinez was Arsenal’s primary target for this role, as the Argentine international ticked plenty of boxes.
But with the Ajax defender set to join Manchester United, Arsenal have wasted no time in shifting their attention back to Zinchenko. The Manchester City man may not be a proficient central defender like Martinez, but he certainly provides a great outlet at left-back and central midfield.
Arsenal and Manchester City have now reached verbal agreement in principle for Oleksandr Zinchenko, fee around £30m. Personal terms are still discussed. ⚪️? #AFC
Salary and length of contract, in negotiation – key step to complete the agreement. pic.twitter.com/QJYrwdqJH1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2022
Arsenal have been in discussions with Manchester City over a move for Zinchenko this week and have since swiftly reached a verbal agreement with the Premier League champions. The Gunners are likely to pay a £30 million fee in exchange for the player.
Arsenal are already discussing personal terms with Zinchenko and want to get the deal done quickly in the coming days. Romano mentions the salary and length of the contract would be essential on the player’s side, although the Gunners are widely expected to wrap up the move quickly.
Zinchenko could be the ideal competition for Tierney, who has had injury issues in the last three seasons. Moreover, the Manchester City utility man efficiently plays in central midfield, specifically in the no. 8 eight position, which Arteta is keen to strengthen.
Under Guardiola, Zinchenko never consistently cemented a starting berth at Manchester United and was widely used as a quality backup to different stars. However, at Arsenal, the Ukrainian international could become a regular under Arteta, as his technical prowess could vastly help the team next season.
After wrapping up Zinchenko, Arsenal are unlikely to end their transfer business, as a new winger could be next on the cards. Arteta wants a wide-attacker after missing out on Raphinha, although the preferred targets at this time remain unclear.
