Arsenal are well on their way to securing a fifth signing of the summer after reaching a verbal agreement in principle with their latest priority target.
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Fabrizio Romano blessed our Twitter timelines with an update that confirmed a deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko is reaching a conclusion.
Arsenal and Manchester City have now reached verbal agreement in principle for Oleksandr Zinchenko, fee around £30m. Personal terms are still discussed. ⚪️🔴 #AFC
Salary and length of contract, in negotiation – key step to complete the agreement. pic.twitter.com/QJYrwdqJH1
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 16, 2022
With just personal terms left to iron out, it appears Mikel Arteta has got his man once again after already raiding his former Premier League side for Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal have been quick to secure the services of the 25-year-old after they walked away from a potential move for Ajax’s Lisandro Martinez.
Manchester United have now secured the central defender but it appears Arsenal will pay a significantly lower fee for Zinchenko, who is Premier League proven and arguably more versatile.
Reports suggest Zinchenko is convinced by the Arsenal project after Edu sounded out the players’ intentions to play in more of a central midfield role and gain more minutes.
Zinchenko will join Jesus, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner and Marquinhos as Arsenal’s fifth recruitment this transfer window as Edu and Arteta look to add depth across the team.
The arrival of the Ukranian will more than likely confirm some form of departure for Nuno Tavares, who after signing last summer has failed to justify his place as back-up to Kieran Tierney.
With Zinchenko currently battling Joao Cancelo and the imminent arrival of Brighton’s Marc Cucurella, it appears he’s ready for a new challenge and willing to give up Champions League football to work with Arteta once more.
Arsenal will hope to get Zinchenko wrapped up soon so he can join them on the current US tour where he could even be ready to face Orlando City on Thursday 21st July.