Manchester City appear to have deviated from their usual strategy when it comes to replacing players, and it represents a huge risk.
Since the end of the season City have intended to upgrade their options at left-back, with Brighton's Marc Cucurella very much Pep Guardiola's number one target.
Oleksandr Zinchenko — who featured in just 15 Premier League matches last season — is now close to leaving the Blues for Arsenal, after the two clubs reached an agreement on a fee of around £30m.
The Ukrainian left-back is expected to agree personal terms and undergo a medical with the London club this week, following Gabriel Jesus in swapping the Etihad for the Emirates this summer. READ MORE: Man City quietly line up another youth signing to continue effective transfer strategy However, despite the developments in the Zinchenko deal there has been little movement in City's pursuit of Cucurella.