Oleksandr Zinchenko is coming off a horrible individual season, where he featured just 15 times for Arsenal. The player has had a poor few years at Arsenal and has one foot out of the door already. The ex-Man City man signed for the Gunners in 2022 for a fee of £30 million. While he showed flashes of quality during the beginning, his time at Arsenal was marred by injuries.
Zinchenko’s “worst season ever”
In his autobiography named “Believe”, Zinchenko described the 24/25 season as his “worst season ever” on an individual level. He could not fathom how he was a leader of the squad under Arteta just a few seasons ago, yet last season, he was demoted to the bench. In his book, he mentions that “A player that doesn’t play is nothing”, signifying his discontent with the lack of game time.
The Ukrainian has not had a good time off the pitch as well. Mikel Arteta was reportedly angry with the Left Back for “revealing how he operates behind the scenes” in his book. The Arsenal fans have not been kind to him either. Some supporters were never fans of his “sensitive attitude”, believing that such a mentality is not expected of a professional footballer. Furthermore, a controversial pro-Israel Instagram story by the Ukrainian instigated heavy backlash from the supporters. For most, this was the final straw.
The defender fell out of Arteta’s plans completely, as the Gunners signed Ricardo Calafiori in 2024 to effectively replace him. Moreover, the incredible breakthrough of 18-year-old wonderkid Myles Lewis-Skelly made things worse for Zinchenko. Owing to such a terrible period for the player, he is likely to move away from the club for a fresh start.
Multiple clubs lined up for the Left Back
Arsenal are actively looking to sell Zinchenko for Financial compliance purposes, after spending upwards of £200 million this summer. The UCL semi-finalists are reportedly looking for a fee of £20 million, despite his contract expiring next June. The Arsenal Left back has garnered interest from three clubs in particular.
Fenerbahce
As per Sky Sports, Turkish giants Fenerbahce are interested in signing the 28-year-old. The Yellow Canaries have reportedly reached a broad agreement with Arsenal over transfer terms. They kicked off negotiations with a bid worth £10 million, and hope to reach an agreement soon, as other clubs are looming. The Turkish Club are said to be relying on manager Jose Mourinho’s influence to convince the player to join them.
FC Porto
The Portuguese club has reportedly contacted Arsenal regarding the Ukrainian defender. While the clubs do share a good relationship, talks have not advanced as of yet. The Dragões will have to act soon, as Fenerbahce are currently in the lead.
Real Betis
Los Verdiblancos have entered the race for Zinchenko, too. Betis’ Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, is a fan of the versatile 28-year-old and believes he could change the side’s dynamics. However, the deal is complicated, as the Seville side may struggle to afford the Ukrainian’s wages or the transfer fee. Zinchenko currently earns an estimated £150,000 per week, which is out of Betis’ league. However, Zinchenko may consider a lower salary if the Verdiblancos manage to convince him.
Zinchenko to stay?
Reports have emerged recently claiming that Zinchenko is open to staying at Arsenal to see out his contract, which runs until 2026. This would see him moving on a free transfer next year, although he would essentially be sacrificing an year of his career on the bench.
🚨 Oleksandr Zinchenko is available to leave Arsenal before the deadline, although the player is giving consideration to seeing out the final year of his contract & moving on a free transfer in 2026. Arsenal, naturally, would prefer a sale in this window. [@gunnerblog] pic.twitter.com/GlXgOnJjSj
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) August 12, 2025
What should Zinchenko do?
Staying at Arsenal is out of the question for Zinchenko. The added competition and lack of trust from Arteta mean that the Ukrainian’s career at Arsenal is all but finished. Of the remaining teams, Real Betis seems to be the best option. Betis are frequently competing for European football, just below the top 3 of Spanish football. Coach Manuel Pellegrini plays attractive football that may suit Zinchenko’s profile. Pellegrini can also be trusted with the task of reviving Zinchenko’s career, as he did with Antony the previous season. If not Betis, Fenerbahce could be a fine option, particularly due to Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese manager is a footballing mastermind; playing under him could prove beneficial for Zinchenko.