Arsenal would be prepared to sell Oleksandr Zinchenko to AC Milan should they receive an offer of £17million for the full-back this summer, according to reports in Italy.
Zinchenko has enjoyed three seasons with the Gunners having followed Mikel Arteta from Manchester City to the Emirates in a deal worth around £30m back in 2022.
Though Zinchenko has failed to win any silverware in that time, he has proven to be an influential member of the dressing room and his versatility has been invaluable for Arteta.
But the meteoric rise of Myles Lewis-Skelly and Riccardo Calafiori’s arrival from Bologna have combined to block Zinchenko’s path to Arteta’s starting XI.
Zinchenko’s current contract is due to expire in 2026, meaning Arsenal must decide whether to cash in on the Ukrainian now or risk losing him on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
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AC Milan have been alerted to a potential deal, with the club’s sporting director Igli Tare in contact with intermediaries managing Zinchenko’s possible departure from north London.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Milan – who are looking to find a replacement for the Al-Hilal-bound Theo Hernandez – can close a deal for Zinchenko with a bid in the region of £17m.
The report claims Zinchenko’s wage demands are the ‘only obstacle’ blocking the Ukraine international’s path to the San Siro.
Zinchenko is said to ‘open’ to prospect of joining the Rossoneri, with the former Manchester City man keen to secure regular playing time ahead of the new season.
The Serie A giants are also looking at Club Brugge’s Maxim De Cuyper as a potential solution at left-back should they fail in pursuit of Zinchenko.
Back in March, Zinchenko – who has also attracted interest from Borussia Dortmund – admitted he was unsure what lay ahead for his future after dropping down the pecking order at Arsenal.
‘I don’t know yet to be honest,’ he said at the time.
‘If I knew, I could tell you. It’s still a long way to go until the end of the season.
‘I think we are at the stage and the most interesting period of the season, where every single game is a final and you never know what is going to happen in football.’
Despite his somewhat peripheral role, Zinchenko was keen to stress that he remained ‘so happy’ at Arsenal and intent on ‘making an impact’ at every possible opportunity.
‘Honestly, I am so happy to be part of this amazing club and team. It is really a joy to be close to these guys,’ he added.
‘Whenever the team and head coach needs me, I am there. In any position they need me, I am there to help.
‘Even if I will be in the stands, I will try to make an impact as much as I can, to push the others, just to hug someone, whatever! It is really a joy to be here.’
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