Zinchenko will be the 2nd player to move from the Etihad and follow former City assistant coach, Mikel Arteta to the Emirates if the deal falls through
By Mosope Michaels
Arsenal having designed to losing Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, Manchester United are in the hunt to sign Manchester City left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko who is expected to challenge injury-prone Kieran Tierney next season.
Lisandro Martinez emerged as one of the Gunners’ top priorities for the summer but they were unwilling to match the asking price for a player who may not be first-choice at the Emirates.
Arsenals’ skepticism coupled with the fact that the Argentine played under their Manchester United coach, Erik Ten Hag last season gave an advantage to The Red Devils who are now set to complete the deal.
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Therefore, the Gunners have moved on to alternative options with Mikel Arteta now eager to stage a second Man City reunion of the summer.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have moved on to the 25-year-old Oleksandr Zinchenko after seemingly losing Martinez to the red half of Manchester.
The Ukrainian offers similar attributes as the Ajax defender. He can play as a left-back and versatile enough to fill in as a central midfielder.
Now Italian journalist and football transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has provided a further update on the deal with negotiations said to be progressing at a rapid rate.
Taking to Twitter, Romano wrote: “Arsenal and Manchester City have now reached verbal agreement in principle for Oleksandr Zinchenko, fee around £30m.
“Personal terms are still discussed. Salary and length of contract, in negotiation – key step to complete the agreement”
If the deal falls through, Oleksandr Zinchenko will be the second player to move from the Etihad and follow former City assistant coach, Mikel Arteta to the Emirates after Gabriel Jesus signed for the North London club.