Oleksandr Zinchenko's future at Arsenal is in serious doubt as the Gunners brace to receive a bid for the Ukrainian this month.
Zinchenko was the star signing for the summer of 2022 and played a key role in immediately turning Mikel Arteta's side into title contenders. But Jurrien Timber's return to fitness and the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori have seen the 28-year-old drop down the pecking order.
He has made just 11 appearances in all competitions this season, with just three of those being starts. Even at the start, Zinchenko still needs to last the full 90 minutes, with Timber and Calfiori firmly ahead of him in Arteta's plans.
The left-back has entered the final eighteen months of his contract and this transfer window could be the best time to get good compensation for him. Given that situation, Zinchenko is heading for an exit.
According to The Sun, Inter Milan are preparing to make a bid for the Ukrainian this month. The Serie A side believe he can give their domestic season a 'huge boost', with Simone Inzaghi's side four points behind leaders Napoli with two games remaining.
Arteta is said to be 'open-minded' about Zinchenko's departure this month. This is despite the Gunners having started talks with Celtic over a deal that would see Kieran Tierney return to Scotland.
It appears Arteta has already found a replacement for Zinchenko, with Arsenal reportedly monitoring AC Milan star Theo Hernandez. The France international struggled under the now-fired Paulo Fonseca, but played an important role in the Supercoppa Italiana victory over Inter.
But his contract is also entering its final 18 months, with no progress being made in talks on a new deal. Arteta is believed to be a big fan of the Milan star, with the Italian giants possibly open to a summer sale.
The Arsenal boss has played down the chances of a major signing this month. Instead, he has insisted his full focus is on working with the players currently at the Emirates Stadium.
“The focus is on our players. Whatever is on the market, we are very alert, but the priority is working with the players we have at the moment and tomorrow night, which is a big night for us. not a yes, it's not a no,” he said before the defeat to Newcastle.
“We have very high standards and we only want to have players here who come from our academy, otherwise we have to sign players to really elevate and influence the team, otherwise bringing in bodies will not help us.
“It's a good learning process, not only tactically, but also in terms of preparation and training with very few players. Today we had seven or eight players with us to fill the squad, which is not normal, but it is a strange way to learn, but I” I'll take it.”
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