Arsenal are reportedly ready to let left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko leave the club this summer in a slightly surprising transfer decision.
The Gunners only signed Zinchenko from rivals Manchester City last season, and he made a strong start to life at the Emirates Stadium, though his second year in Mikel Arteta’s side has perhaps been a bit less convincing.
Zinchenko has struggled for both fitness and form, and it now seems Arsenal would be willing to offload him for around €45million this summer, according to Football Transfers.
The report adds that Newcastle United could be keen to keep Zinchenko in the Premier League, while there might also be interest from abroad in the form of Bayern Munich.
Zinchenko transfer: Selling the left-back seems like a risk for Arsenal
One imagines most Gunners fans would probably rather see Zinchenko stay at the club, even if the Ukraine international hasn’t always covered himself in glory with some of his defensive decision-making.
It’s hard to replace what he offers in that inverted full-back role, however, as the 27-year-old is a supremely intelligent footballer with great technique and quality on the ball, offering some fine passing when he drifts into the middle.
At the same time, though, some Arsenal fans might argue that they’ve actually coped well and looked more solid at the back while he’s been out injured, with Jakub Kiwior doing a fine job covering the left-back position.
Zinchenko could be a tempting option for other top clubs, with Bayern in particular facing a worrying situation this summer as Alphonso Davies is heading towards the final year of his contract and may need replacing.
Newcastle, meanwhile, will want to bring in an upgrade on Dan Burn if they are to make that step up to challenging for the top four and major silverware every season.
Selling Zinchencko is the best thing Arsenal must do in the summer transfer window. He’s just not good enough defensively. His defensive frailties and incompetence was part of the reasons that cost Arsenal the premier league title last season and this season Arsenal have dropped crucial points with his silly mistakes.
Selling Zinchenko will be one of the bad decisions Arteta will be taking. He is technically gifted and very quick to join the midfield and attack. We missed him against Porto. You need Zinchenko on big games. He is our best ball passer. One of the problems of Arteta is that he finds it difficult to rotate. Zinchenko and Kiwior should be rotated at left full back. Even Tomiyasu can also start there. Anytime he starts Zinchenko and the result is favouring us, then the coach suppose to change him in the second half. Arteta made a mistake of keeping him till 88th against Liverpool last season.
Oohh.. yes please, someobe make it happen, sooner is better bitte! 😊
Zinchenko should not be sold soon he is a player who when he is at his best he will deliver for you very well.
I think Arsenal should not sell him he is an important player to us
Arsenal are a stronger team now than we were when we bought the two City players, Jesus & Zinchenko.
They were no longer deemed good enough for City, a team challenging for the Premier League and Champions League.
Arsenal are currently in a position to be challenging for these trophies!
I feel that we need an upgrade at left back (hopefully Timber will be doing that role) and perhaps we will get a consistent goal scorer at the tip of the spear!!!!
I am worried that Arteta & Edu might go for quantity over quality in the Summer.
We need a top class DM to play alongside Rice (maybe Zubimendi?).
We need a top class goal scorer (Lautaro Martinez possibly,
and possibly another top class “versatile defender”
A cost of $250m for the three of them.
There are at least 10+ players we can sell, for around $150m.
This would also allow some of the kids to get game time.