Oleksandr Zinchenko
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko is expected to remain at the Emirates Stadium beyond the transfer deadline, despite interest from several clubs, according to Daily Mail journalist Isaan Khan.
The Ukrainian international, most recently linked with a move to Ligue 1 side Marseille, looks likely to stay put unless a dramatic late twist emerges. Zinchenko, 28, has endured a difficult spell at Arsenal, with his game time sharply reduced last season.
After joining from Manchester City in 2022 for £30 million plus £2 million in add-ons, he managed just 23 appearances in all competitions during the 2024/25 campaign, starting only five Premier League matches.
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His reduced role has been compounded by the arrival of Riccardo Calafiori, the rise of academy product Myles Lewis-Skelly, and the recent signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, leaving Zinchenko down the pecking order.
Oleksandr Zinchenko injury
Oleksandr Zinchenko (Image credit: Getty Images)
Throughout the summer, the left-back attracted interest from Porto, Fenerbahce, Real Betis, and Marseille. The French club pursued a permanent deal in recent days, but negotiations stalled due to Zinchenko’s reported £150,000-per-week wages. Marseille explored options such as a longer contract or performance-related bonuses, but no breakthrough was reached.
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With just 12 months left on his Arsenal deal, Zinchenko could choose to see out his contract and leave on a free transfer in 2026, potentially securing a lucrative move. The defender has been vocal about his frustration with limited playing time, calling the 2024/25 season “easily the worst” of his career in his autobiography Believe, and insisting he wants to “enjoy the game and come back with a smile.”
For Arsenal, Zinchenko’s retention is not without complications. The club has been looking to trim its squad in line with UEFA’s squad cost ratio rules after a busy summer window that brought in Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Hincapie. However, recent departures: Jakub Kiwior to Porto and both Fabio Vieira and Albert Sambi Lokonga to Hamburg have eased financial pressures, lessening the need to force a Zinchenko exit.
Marseille’s interest came amid their search for an experienced left-back following Quentin Merlin’s move to Stade Rennais. Under Roberto De Zerbi and with Champions League football on the horizon, the French side saw Zinchenko’s versatility and Premier League experience as ideal assets. Yet, with the window closing on September 1, time has all but run out for a deal to materialise.
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