Arsenal are open to loaning Oleksandr Zinchenko to Borussia Dortmund, but want a guaranteed transfer fee in the summer.
It is believed that Zinchenko, 28, is keen to leave the Emirates, with talks ongoing between the player's representatives and German giants Dortmund. The Ukrainian defender, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £35m, has made just 11 appearances this season with a persistent calf injury limiting his playing time under Mikel Arteta.
After being an unused substitute in Sunday's bitter penalty shootout defeat at home to Manchester United in the FA Cup, Zinchenko's time at Arsenal appears to be over. Sky Germany reports that Dortmund are keen to sign the former City left-back, with the Gunners open to a loan deal that includes an obligation to buy when the summer transfer window opens.
That fee would be set at around €20 million (£17 million), with Zinchenko's contract at Arsenal running until June 2026. Mirror Football reported in July that fellow Bundesliga heavyweight Bayern Munich were interested in signing Zinchenko, who alongside Bayern boss Vincent Kompany played for City.
Even when fit, Zinchenko has not regained his place as Arsenal's first-choice left-back. Jurrien Timber, new £42m signing Riccardo Calafiori and Jakub Kiwior have shared the minutes, with youngster Miles Lewis-Skelly recently coming into the starting line-up and Kieran Tierney now another option following his return from injury.
Inter Milan have also been linked with the signing of Zinchenko, with manager Simone Inzaghi targeting a new full-back this month. The 28-year-old has been tipped for a midfield role this season given Arsenal's abundance of options at left-back, although Arteta has used him exclusively in defense since signing him.
“Obviously he has played in midfield,” the Gunners boss said in pre-season. “But the main focus for him at the moment is playing as a full-back and the options and solutions he offers in that role. He knows the quality he has, he knows what things he needs to improve. He is also one of those people who really is.” there.”
Should he join Dortmund, Zinchenko would try to help Nuri Sahin's side recover from a poor start to the season. BVB currently sit eighth in the Bundesliga, although their Champions League campaign has been a different story. Dortmund are just one point outside the top eight, with two games to go before the knockout play-offs, which they hope to avoid.
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