Up until now, Arsenal were the only side who were interested in Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko but now West Ham United have also joined the transfer race.
Rumours have suggested that Pep Guardiola will allow the Ukrainian to leave for the correct price and this decision seems to have spiked the Hammers’ interest in the full-back.
According to Claret and Hugh, City have set a price tag of around £40 million and this fee is very much within the limits of both the London clubs. Zinchenko has played 128 games for Manchester City, across all competitions and he still has two years left on his contract so Pep’s £40 million demand is fair and accurate.
However, Mikel Arteta and David Moyes are viewing the full-back for two very distinct roles and this could be a key deciding factor in determining his next destination.
The way the referee consoled Oleksandr Zinchenko after Ukraine failed to reach the World Cup 💙💛 pic.twitter.com/Gi67Q3zHdv
— GOAL (@goal) June 6, 2022
Will Zinchenko join Arsenal or West Ham United?
If either of the two interested clubs are ready to pay around £40 million then Man City will allow Oleksandr Zinchenko to leave.
Mikel Arteta is viewing the 25-year-old as a midfielder which is why Arsenal won’t have a problem in paying £40 million. They are also chasing Youri Tielemans whom they will be able to sign on a bargain deal because he’s in the final year of his contract so spending a notable amount on Zinchenko will not be an issue.
Arsenal is on the verge of signing Tielemans and as per the pundits, Leicester will allow a sale for a fee of around £25-30 million.
However, West Ham United want to sign the City man as a left-back and we don’t think Moyes will be ready to spare so much money on a left-back.
Also, Zinchenko will want to join a side where he can play regularly next season so he won’t be too keen to join West Ham where he will have to compete with Aaron Cresswell.
Oleksandr Zinchenko regularly plays in midfield for his national side so Mikel Arteta’s wish is not too outlandish and since Arsenal will be able to guarantee him regular starts, the Gunners are still very much the favourites to sign the 25-year-old.
