Oleksandr Zinchenko transfer to Arsenal moves closer as Man City plan replacement

There is growing expectation that Oleksandr Zinchenko will complete a move to Arsenal.

Zinchenko has fought his way into the Manchester City side on various occasions since returning from a loan spell in 2017, with the Ukrainian delighting Pep Guardiola for his attitude as much as his technical ability. He also showed incredible courage to play a key part in the final stages of City's latest Premier League title win while trying to help his country following Russia's invasion.

While a stay at the Etihad this summer was not out of the question, Zinchenko wants to play more minutes and Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is ready to offer them. Arsenal were one of several clubs to show interest a few months ago and have intensified their efforts to sign him after losing out on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez.

Also read: Phoning soldiers to loading lorries: Oleksandr Zinchenko's incredible unseen Ukraine support between Man City matches

There is still work to be done to agree a fee and personal terms, but enough progress has been made over the last week for the transfer to be seen as a live possibility now by all sides. Zinchenko and Arteta have an excellent relationship from when the Arsenal manager used to be the man responsible for making sure the City playres understood what Guardiola was asking of them.

City will make a sizable profit on a player they signed for £1.4m back in 2016, and will also go back into the market to replace him. Brighton's Marc Cucurella has been lined up as a target this summer, although the Seagulls are in a strong position to hold out for a big fee given they have no need to sell.

READ NEXT

The latest Manchester City news