Oleksandr Zinchenko is reportedly on the verge of leaving Premier League champions Manchester City to join Arsenal on a permanent deal following a breakthrough in negotiations between the two clubs.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Arteta’s Gunners have agreed a £30 million fee with Pep Guardiola’s side for the versatile Ukraine international.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is Leaving Manchester City to Join Arsenal This Summer
Personal Terms to be Final Stage of Transfer
Following the transfer fee agreement for the player, Zinchenko’s personal terms are all that remain to be decided before his transfer to Arsenal can be officially completed.
Zinchenko had two years remaining on his Manchester City contract going into this summer. The 25-year-old has become known as an auxiliary left-back under City manager Guardiola during his time at the club, but has opted to leave Etihad stadium for the promise of more regular game time in north London.
Zinchenko knows Gunners boss Arteta well from their time working together at City before the Spanish manager took over at Arsenal, and could be more frequently utilised in midfield once he makes the switch to the Emirates Stadium.
In his six years at Manchester City, Zinchenko made 127 appearances and won the Premier League title on four occasions, also winning five domestic cups and two Charity Shields.
Intra-Division Transfer Activity Strengthening Rivals at Manchester City’s Expense
If the deal to bring Zinchenko to the Emirates goes through as expected in the coming days, he will represent the third high-profile player to depart the champions’ squad for a dometic rival.
Zinchenko will follow Brazil striker Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal, while England international Raheem Sterling has recently completed his transfer to Chelsea.
The reasoning behind all three players’ departures is the same: The promise of increased status and a place on the pitch in all the big matches their new sides will play in the coming season.
Though the trio were all important players in Guardiola’s City side that has frequently conquered domestic football, competition for places and regular big-money signings in midfiled and forward positions means no player in the champions’ expensively-assembled squad – bar the irrepressible Kevin de Bruyne – is assured of regular starting-eleven status.
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