The Gunners have already plundered Man City this summer when acquiring Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian striker could be Arsenal’s main man up top for the better part of the next decade and is rightly viewed as a significant coup.
The latest from CBS Sports and German outlet Bild put Arsenal in the mix for another with City connections – Leroy Sane. The Bayern winger could be viewed as the next cab off the rank after failing to land Raphinha.
Continuing the City trend, Arsenal have also forged an agreement to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Pep Guardiola’s side are willing to part ways with their Ukrainian utility man. A transfer fee of an initial £30m has been agreed, though discussions over personal terms are ongoing.
The current window has highlighted how moves can and often do break down despite a transfer fee being agreed. Indeed, Chelsea saw a bid for Raphinha accepted by Leeds, though the Brazilian ended up in Barcelona.
Elsewhere, Barca and Man Utd have shook hands on a Frenkie de Jong deal worth an initial £63m. But unless personal terms can be agreed, the Dutchman won’t be a Red Devil.
However, according to Sky Sports, Arsenal will have no such trouble in that regard with Zinchenko.
Personal terms won’t be an issue
They reported ‘personal terms are not expected to be a problem’. As such, the Gunners hope to conclude a deal ‘early next week’.
If the move does cross the line, City will be left surprisingly threadbare at full-back.
Zinchenko is one of just three senior established full-backs on City’s books along with Kyle Walker and Joao Cancelo.
A replacement will be required if Zinchenko is bound for north London and Sky add Brighton’s Marc Cucurella is in their sights.
The Spaniard won both the Brighton Player of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards last year. The Seagulls will command around £50m for his sale.
Zinchenko worth his weight in gold
Should Zinchenko arrive, he could kill two birds with one stone in Arteta’s squad.
At club level he has primarily operated at left-back. The Gunners are known to be hunting competition for Kieran Tierney. Indeed, they planned to convert Lisandro Martinez into a left-back if signed, though look to have lost out to Man Utd.
With Ukraine, Zinchenko flourishes in the engine room – another position Arsenal are seeking to address.
They had been linked with Youri Tielemans from Leicester, though news on that front has gone quiet.
If Arsenal do have serious ambitions of pulling off another major raid elsewhere, such as for Leroy Sane, signing Zinchenko who can occupy multiple positions of need will greatly aid their cause.
