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Oleksandr Zinchenko’s three-year stay at Arsenal could come to an end this summer, with the versatile defender reportedly of interest to a number of several clubs.
After signing for £32million in the summer of 2022, the Ukraine international immediately became a key figure in the Gunners title bid that season, only to fall short of former side Manchester City.
In the following seasons however, he lost his starting spot, first to Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu, and latterly to Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Riccardo Calafiori also fighting for matches at left back.
However with fitness proving difficult to maintain amid a number of injury issues, Zinchenko managed just five league starts last term during Arsenal’s personnel crisis in the second half of the season.
According to The Sun, however, Fulham are now ready to pounce and are keen to bring in a player of Zinchenko’s experience and versatility.
The Gunners are thought to value the player at around £12.7million, though Marco Silva and Co are hoping to prise him away for just £10m, according to the report.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is reportedly of interest to a Premier League side this summer
Fulham are hoping to complete a deal for around £10million for the £12.7m-rated star
He started five league games amid the emergence of England defender Myles Lewis-Skelly
Furthermore, the west London outfit are keen to deploy him in either defence or midfield, and hope to build on an impressive season last time out.
‘Zinchenko is a major target for Fulham,’ a source told The Sun of the Ukrainian international
‘He looks almost certain to leave the Emirates this summer and there will be no shortage of takers.’
While there are a number of suitors for his services from further afield – with Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan both linked – he is thought to be keen on staying in London.
Moreover, reports claim that he would be willing to sign a deal worth around £3m-per-annum, down £1.26m on his current contract at the Emirates.
With first-team options at a premium in north London, Zinchenko is thought to be ready to leave, with Mikel Arteta reportedly considering him to be surplus to requirements.
It is a big summer window for the Gunners, who have been heavily linked with both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres as they look to strengthen in attack at long last.
They are also set to bring in Martin Zubimendi in midfield after saying farewell to Jorginho who departed on a free, in another major transfer coup with the former Liverpool target wanted by Real Madrid.
As such, the club will want to raise funds ahead of their splurge, with the sale of players like Zinchenko who played smaller roles last season the logical outgoings.
