The Gunners are back in negotiations with Manchester City, this time for the transfer of left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, reports Simon Jones of the Daily Mail. The North Londoners have recently missed out on AFC Ajax centre-back Lisandro Martinez, who has reportedly chosen Manchester United as his next club.
The 25-year-old Ukraine international, who can play as both a defender and in midfield, is down the pecking order to City, with Portugal international Joao Cancelo currently the first-choice left-back despite being predominantly right-footed. Arsenal have already shopped at City once this summer. The Gunners paid 45 million pounds to sign forward Gabriel Jesus, a year ahead of his contract expiry.
Martinez, Arsenal’s first-choice target for that slot, is edging closer to a switch to United. According to reports, after the Gunners had an initial approach knocked back by Ajax for not meeting their valuation, the Red Devils struck an agreement for the transfer of the player for a fee in the region of 50-60 million euros after add-ons. Mikel Arteta and Co promptly moved to other targets, Zinchenko being the top – at the moment.
Manchester City are said to be open to offers regarding Zinchenko this summer. Apart from Jesus, the Citizens also let Raheem Sterling join Chelsea earlier this week.
Instead, the Premier League champions are eyeing a move for Brighton and Hove Albion’s Marc Cucurella – who can play as a left-back and a left wingback – and could ramp up the talks should Zinchenko seal a move to Arsenal. The Ukrainian has a contract with City until the end of the 2023/24 season, and Transfermarkt values him currently at 25 million euros.
Meanwhile, should a move for Zinchenko fail to materialize, Arsenal could turn their focus towards RSC Anderlecht’s Sergio Gomez or persist with their current options for that spot – Kieran Tierney and Nuno Tavares.
Zinchenko, who joined Manchester City from Russian side Ufa in 2016 and spent a season on loan at PSV Eindhoven, has made 128 appearances for the Citizens, scored two goals, and won four league titles.
