Zinchenko to leave Gunners before the window closes

Okeksandr Zinchenko will be allowed to leave Arsenal before the transfer window closes, with both Borussia Dortmund and Atlético Madrid set to compete for his services.

Signed for ₤35 million in the summer of 2022, the Ukrainian left-back made a significant contribution in his first season at the Emirates, but injuries, a tendency to defensive errors, and an evolution in the style of play under Mikel Arteta who have all combined to relegate him to the status of a squad player. Riccardo Califiori and Myles Lewis-Skelly are both ahead of him in the pecking order, and with both Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu set to return to full fitness, there is also cover elsewhere in the Gunners’ squad.

And, with just 18 months left on his contract, now is the time to capitalise on him. Both clubs want an initial loan deal, but the Gunners will insist on an option to buy clause in any contract.

With his departure sanctioned, Kieran Tierney will have to wait until the summer to complete his return to Celtic, having already signed a pre-contract agreement with the Scottish champions.

Andy is an exiled English football fan living in Cyprus. He loves all sports but football is his abiding passion, and he still has dreams every now and then about scoring the winning goal in a Wembley Cup Final, even though his playing days are long gone. He follows most major leagues, across Europe at least, and has a favoured team in each. When he’s not watching, listening, reading or downloading podcasts about football, he spend his time worrying about his beloved Arsenal.