Date published: Friday 15th July 2022 12:35 – Will Ford
Arsenal are reportedly in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.
Zinchenko, who moved to City for just £1.8m from Russian side FK Ufa in the summer of 2016, made ten Premier League starts for City last season and is thought to be keen to advance his career away from the Etihad.
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And the Gunners are now making their move, according to the Evening Standard.
Technical director Edu is leading the talks with City, who are thought to want as much as £35m for the Ukraine international, who’s valued at £22.5m by Transfermarkt.
The 25-year-old is said to be an attractive option because of his versatility, with Arsenal making their move having missed out on Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez, who’s agreed to reunite with Erik ten Hag at Manchester United in a €55m deal.
Arteta worked with Zinchenko in his time as assistant to Pep Guardiola at Man City and has been interested in him all summer.
Zinchenko has two years left on his current deal at City, who are said to be willing to sell him if their valuation is met by Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta is reportedly ‘open’ to joining Arsenal this summer.
The Gunners are still on the lookout for another midfielder this summer having already added Fabio Vieira from Porto.
Paqueta, who’s also a target of Newcastle, was one of Lyon’s top stars last season, with nine goals and six assists as he was voted the best foreign player in the French top flight.
The report states that ‘while he is not acting out to force an exit this summer, he does want to leave as he is excited by the opportunity to join a new project’.
Arsenal are said to be leading the race for the playmaker, who has scored seven goals in 33 caps for Brazil, but Lyon are in a strong position to negotiate with Paqueta contracted for another three seasons having signed in September 2020 from Milan for €20m.
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko was “surprised” by Eddie Nketiah’s “ability and quality” after joining the Gunners in the summer.
Oleksandr Zinchenko wants to “kill the stereotype” of Arsenal being a team that should only be competing for a place in the Premier League top four.
Arsenal manager Arteta has confirmed that England winger Saka is “fine” and is available to play against FC Zurich if needed.
Arsenal could have three injured players back to face Tottenham on Saturday, while there is reportedly good news about Kieran Tierney.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted the club has not yet decided on whether to play Oleksandr Zinchenko against Brentford on Sunday.
Arsenal fans haven’t had too much to smile about over the last couple of years, but this summer has seen the team finally start to evolve.