Arsenal have made a bid to sign Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer as they plan to rebuild their squad as they prepare for the Europa League.
The Gunners have suffered especially in their defensive shape amidst spending money on defenders and the club will go again to the market for a more established defender. Zinchenko meets these criteria and the 25-year-old has been in the English game since 2017 with Manchester City.
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta is close to the left-back and both of them have a good relationship, having worked at City from 2017 to 2020 as Pep Guardiola’s assistant. Arteta is yet to speak publicly about Zinchenko but the club is pushing for a deal to be agreed on.
Manchester City won the Premier League on Sunday, coming from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 to clinch their fourth league title in five years. Zinchenko is a well-known winner, having won the PL title on four occasions(2018,19,21 and 22) as well as the League Cup in 2018,2019,2020, and 2021. He won the FA Cup in 2019 as well.
Arsenal remains confident in their quest to sign Zinchenko. A source close to the Sporting Director’s office said the club wants a defender with PL experience and Zinchenko fits that void perfectly, having played five seasons at the Etihad.
Zinchenko last signed a contract extension with Manchester City in the summer of 2019 where he penned a five-year deal that runs till 2024. The Gunners are willing to increase his salary should the Ukrainian agree to personal terms with the Nort Londoners. He currently earns around £30k weekly and Arsenal are considering a £60k salary per week for the Ukraine international.
Pep Guardiola will be reluctant to let him go as his side have no other left-footed fullback in their ranks, with the likes of Nathan Ake comfortable at centre-back. It is not yet certain what type of contract it is, though the source claims it is a four-year proposal, with the salary possibly increasing with performance.
A deal might be reached soon, but it will depend on how quickly City buys another left-back ahead of the new season. Marc Cucurella of Brighton has emerged as an option for Manchester City and it is possible a deal will be agreed upon soon. Brighton were formerly having discussions with City representatives for Cucurella but talks have been suspended in the meantime.
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