Arsenal are working to offload Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is the subject of advanced discussions with Ajax following a short spell on loan at Nottingham Forest
Ryan Taylor
09:07, 20 Jan 2026
Oleksandr Zinchenko of Nottingham Forest warms up ahead of the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City
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Oleksandr Zinchenko looks set to join Ajax on a permanent transfer(Image: (Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images))
Arsenal are re-negotiating a deal with Ajax for Oleksandr Zinchenko, who could now join the Dutch giants on a permanent basis.
The Ukraine international is into the final six months of his contract at the Emirates but is no longer part of Mikel Arteta's plans following an unsuccessful loan spell at Nottingham Forest.
The Gunners had already agreed a six-month loan with Ajax for Zinchenko which would have seen the Eredivisie side pay the entirety of the player's wages.
However, both clubs are now advancing in discussions over a cut-price permanent transfer.
Zinchenko was actually due to undergo a medical in Amsterdam on Tuesday ahead of his loan switch but that has now been postponed while the parties reconvene.
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There's confidence from all sides of the deal that this transfer will get done as Zinchenko is keen to join Ajax.
The move could well see him reunite with former Arsenal team-mate Takehiro Tomiyasu, who recently signed a short-term contract with Ajax following a long-term lay-off with a knee injury.
Tomiyasu left Arsenal last summer following the mutual termination of his contract in north London.
Zinchenko made just five Premier League appearances while on loan at Forest and he was also recently removed from their Europa League squad after Ola Aina returned from injury.
It proved to be the final straw for the 29-year-old at the City Ground and following honest discussions with Sean Dyche, it was decided that Forest would open talks with Arsenal over the possibility of sending him back to the Premier League leaders.
Oleksandr Zinchenko'
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Oleksandr Zinchenko's Nottingham Forest loan will be cut short(Image: )
The sticking point is that there was no break clause within the original agreement, negotiated rapidly in the final hours of the window in September.
However, Ajax had already showed initial interest and they've now displayed a willingness to get a deal done pronto, which is convenient for both Arsenal and Forest.
Meanwhile, Marseille are also pushing to take Ethan Nwaneri on loan for the remainder of the season.
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There is also interest from both the Premier League and Europe in the England U21 international and is now looks increasingly likely that Arsenal could sanction a loan - despite previously indicating the attacking midfielder wasn't available.
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