Oleksandr Zinchenko: Arsenal hope to strike deal with Man City for Ukraine international early next week | Soccer News
Arsenal hope to strike a deal with Manchester City to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko early next week.
It is understood that the total transfer fee for the Ukraine international will be around £30million, with personal terms not expected to be an issue.
Zinchenko spent just over six years at Man City after joining the club as a teenager from Russian side Ufa.
The 25-year-old, who was coached by Mikel Arteta during Arsenal manager’s tenure as assistant to Man City boss Pep Guardiola, can fill a variety of positions including left-back and central midfielder.
Arsenal were in the market for a left-sided defender and were trying to sign Manchester United-linked Lisandro Martinez from Ajax.
Man City, meanwhile, want to bring in a left-back and remain interested in Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, as Sky Sports News revealed in June.
The 23-year-old enjoyed a hugely successful first season in the Premier League after joining Getafe in a deal worth around £15m last summer.
Brighton are unwilling to let Cucurella leave and they would need a huge offer to sell given he has four years left on his contract at the Amex.
Why versatile and reliable Zinchenko fits Arsenal’s bill
Oleksandr Zinchenko is known to be versatile and reliable at Manchester City
Sam Blitz, Sky Sports football journalist:
“Mikel Arteta considered additions to left-back and central midfield in this summer transfer window. The Gunners wanted Lisandro Martinez from Ajax, who has experience in both positions as well as half central, but now appears destined for Manchester United.Youri Tielemans of Leicester City has also been looked into, but that interest has cooled in recent weeks.
“There’s a reason the Arsenal manager needs support in this role. At left-back, Kieran Tierney has picked up long-term injuries over the past two seasons at crucial times and while Nuno Tavares was signed as cover last summer, the young Portuguese full-back struggled in big moments and found himself behind Cedric Soares and Granit Xhaka in the left-back pecking order at the end of the season. season.
“In midfield, Xhaka is a mainstay in Arteta’s side but there is little competition for his specific role. Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny and Albert Sambi Lokonga are all vying for the same position at the base of midfield. Arsenal ground, leaving Xhaka to a number 8 role.
“If he were to play in midfield, a role he regularly performs at international level, Zinchenko would rival Xhaka at Arsenal – and a closer look at their respective heatmaps last season shows the two playing in the same area of the pitch, although the Ukrainian played at left-back and the Arsenal man operated from midfield.
Oleksandr Zinchenko plays more central attacking role for Ukraine
“On the ball, Zinchenko’s passing stats are better than Xhaka’s – but that’s to be expected given Guardiola City keep the ball and use it better than Arsenal. Zinchenko and City defended a lot less than Arsenal last summer, but the Ukraine international’s defensive stats still trump Xhaka Zinchenko has won more tackles, interceptions and air challenges than the Swiss midfielder – a reminder that both players operate in approximately the same area of the pitch.
Read the full feature here.
Arsenal accept defeat to Man Utd in pursuit of Lisandro Martinez
Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal with Ajax for Lisandro Martinez, with Arsenal conceding defeat in their pursuit of the Argentina international.
The 24-year-old has declared his desire to reunite with Erik ten Hag and a deal worth around £45million is being finalized.
If all goes as well as United want, Martinez is expected to join the team on their pre-season tour of Australia.
Jesus scores 90 seconds after his Arsenal debut
Arsenal’s new signing Gabriel Jesus scores on his debut for the club in a friendly against FC Nuremberg
Gabriel Jesus, who made the same move Zinchenko could do earlier this summer, scored 90 seconds into his Arsenal opener as his brace helped the Gunners to a 5-3 friendly win over FC Nurnberg in the Second Division German.
The Brazilian striker came on at half-time in Germany with the Gunners trailing 2-0 – and had an immediate impact, scoring high into the net through Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ assist.
Mohammed Elneny then struck a stunning strike to equalize for Mikel Arteta’s side, before two Nurnburg own goals from Christpher Schindler and Tim Handwerker gave the Gunners a 4-2 advantage.