Arsenal have pivoted to Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko after Manchester United seemingly pipped them to the post on a deal for Lisandro Martinez this summer.

The Gunners were keen to lure the Ajax defender to north London, but the arrival of Manchester United with extra funds and the former connection of Erik ten Hag meant that Mikel Arteta and co. were always set to be fighting a losing battle.

As a result of this rebuff, it appears that the Gunners have switched their focus back to a player that Mikel Arteta knows well from his time at Manchester City in the form of Ukrainian star Zinchenko.

Zinchenko on the move?

As per the reliable David Ornstein, the Gunners are working on a move for the versatile defender, who can play at left-back, in central midfield and as a no.10 to a high level.

The 25-year-old would be keen to swap Manchester for increased gametime, often considered a second-choice option by Pep Guardiola, though it is unclear where he would fit in at Arsenal.

Arsenal in talks over Oleksandr Zinchenko move following Martinez rebuff

Ukraine’s midfielder Oleksandr Zinchenko applauds the fans following the FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off semi-final qualifier football match between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park in Glasgow, Scotland on June 1, 2022. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The two clubs are in talks over a deal, and ‘it is believed that City are open to sanctioning the 25-year-old’s sale if their valuation is met’, in the same vein that Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus have both departed this summer and Nathan Ake is seemingly set to follow.

However, that has not yet happened, and it is unclear how much Manchester City would demand for their versatile defender. Nonetheless, it is an option that Arsenal are exploring after their Martinez disappointment.

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