Arsenal have been on a roll this summer and after signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, the Gunners have now agreed on a deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arteta has been keen to bring the versatile Ukrainian on board and on Monday, Manchester City and Arsenal finally agreed on a transfer fee which is said to be around £30 million. Today, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arsenal have chalked out all the personal terms so we expect an official announcement by the end of this weekend.
Fabrizio Romano wrote on Twitter: “Arsenal are already preparing official contracts and then schedule medical tests for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Deal in place for £30m fee with Man City – player accepted as he’s happy to work again with Arteta.”
Arsenal are already preparing official contracts and then schedule medical tests for Oleksandr Zinchenko. Deal in place for £30m fee with Man City – player accepted as he's happy to work again with Arteta. 🇺🇦🤝 #AFC
Man City, prepared to push on Cucurella in the coming days. pic.twitter.com/4ySogcGKgG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 19, 2022
Zinchenko to fight for the left-back role or will he play in midfield?
Oleksandr Zinchenko has played as a left-back for Man City but for his national team, he’s a proper central midfielder and his versatility is the primary reason why Mikel Arteta has been so eager to sign him.
He’s played more than 50 games for the Ukrainian side and most of them have been as a midfielder and we think the Arsenal manager is viewing him in an identical role.
Yes, he is going to challenge Kieran Tierney for the left-back role but we don’t think Arteta will be foolish enough to spend so much money on a position where he’s already got a superb talent.
We believe Oleksandr Zinchenko is going to be the long-term partner for Thomas Partey and next season, he’s going to play in tandem with Granit Xhaka.
Mikel Arteta will slowly phase out the Swiss international and by that time, Zinchenko’s role in the team would have been finalised.
Tierney is an injury-prone player so there’s a chance that Oleksandr Zinchenko might have to spend a large part of the season out on the left-hand side of defence but right now, the Arsenal boss is certainly not viewing him in that role.
Do Man City have a replacement for Oleksandr Zinchenko?
Pep Guardiola has wasted no time in going after a replacement for the 25-year-old because as per reports, Manchester City have already made an official bid for Brighton’s Marc Cucurella.
The City manager had been eyeing a move for Cucurella for some time and now that Zinchenko has left, Guardiola should be able to bring him in without any issues.
Following Zinchenko deal completed with Arsenal, Manchester City have an official bid ready to open talks for Marc Cucurella – he’s always been Guardiola’s top target as new LB. 🚨🔵 #MCFC
Bid to be submitted soon in order to negotiate with Brighton as soon as possible. pic.twitter.com/mZqQMQikn0
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 18, 2022
