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Oleksandr Zinchenko has fallen in the pecking order at Arsenal this season and seeks to leave the club in January.
According to the Daily Mail, Atletico Madrid has officially entered the race to sign Arsenal’s versatile left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, having approached the London-based club about a potential deal. However, they face stiff competition from German giants Borussia Dortmund.
Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, has struggled with injuries this season and has found himself falling down the pecking order at the Emirates. With the emergence of Riccardo Calafiori and academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly, Zinchenko’s future at Arsenal has become uncertain.
Atletico Madrid is considering both a direct transfer and a loan arrangement with an obligation to buy. The price for the operation is set at €20 million, with additional performance-based add-ons. The Spanish club sees Zinchenko as a valuable addition due to his ability to play both as a left-back and in midfield, providing tactical flexibility.
However, Atletico is not the only club interested in Zinchenko. Borussia Dortmund has also expressed interest, but the deal has not moved forward due to the high costs involved and Dortmund’s preference for a player who can also play as a center-back.
The negotiations between Atletico and Arsenal are still in the early stages, but it appears that both clubs are keen to reach an agreement before the January transfer window closes. Zinchenko’s experience in high-level competitions, including the Premier League and Champions League, makes him an attractive prospect for Atletico as they aim to strengthen their squad for the second half of the season.
Switching to Atletico Madrid would mark Zinchenko’s debut in Spanish football, adding a new chapter to his career that has already seen him play in the English and Russian leagues.
It remains to be seen whether Atletico Madrid will be able to secure the services of the talented Ukrainian defender. If the deal goes through, it could be one of the standout moves in the winter transfer market.
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