Latest Nottingham Forest transfer news as January exit from the City Ground on the cards
15:43, 18 Jan 2026
Nottingham Forest's Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko
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Nottingham Forest's Arsenal loanee Oleksandr Zinchenko(Image: Getty)
Nottingham Forest appear to have found a transfer solution for out-of-favour defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Reds have been weighing up cutting short the Arsenal full-back’s loan given his struggles on the banks of the Trent. The situation has been complicated by the absence of a break clause in the player’s deal and the lack of space for him in the Gunners’ squad.
However, it appears a resolution could be close amid suggestions Zinchenko is set to head elsewhere. According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Ajax are working on finalising a move for the Ukrainian “as soon as possible”.
An agreement has reportedly been reached with Arsenal to take him on loan for the remainder of the season, with only minor details still to be sorted. With the 29-year-old due to become a free agent in the summer, Ajax are said to be keen to sign him permanently come the end of the campaign.
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It is claimed Zinchenko would be “open” to a switch to the Netherlands. Ajax are said to be in talks with his agent, Jorge Mendes.
Since linking up with Forest on deadline day in the summer, Zinchenko has made just 10 appearances for the club - featuring only five times in the Premier League. He dropped further down the full-back pecking order with the recent return of Ola Aina from injury.
In his pre-match press conference prior to the Reds’ clash with Zinchenko’s parent club on Saturday, head coach Sean Dyche revealed he had spoken to the player about his situation. Dyche did not confirm whether Zinchenko had been told he could leave the City Ground, but there was a clear hint that was the case.
“We have spoken to the player and made it clear in his situation. He is aware of that so we will see what happens,” the Forest boss said on Thursday.
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“We will see what happens. We are being very open with him. He is a thorough professional, he has been and I am sure he will be going forward, no matter what.”
The Reds went on to draw 0-0 with Arsenal, with Zinchenko ineligible to feature. It could prove to be a big point for Dyche’s charges in their battle for survival as they are five points clear of the bottom three.
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