There is a possibility that Ukrainian international defender Oleksandr Zinchenko will leave Arsenal for nothing next summer, according to The Athletic.
The Gunners have put the 28-year-old up for sale, but he has less than 12 months left on his current contract and his value is significantly limited.
Zinchenko, once dubbed ‘the biggest character’ in the Arsenal dressing room by Declan Rice, has played 91 games since joining the North London club from Manchester City in 2022, weighing in with three goals and five assists.
He played 23 times across all competitions last season and no longer has the same transformative effect he had when he first joined Arsenal.
Manager Mikel Arteta regularly used him in midfield during the closing stages of 2024-25, but the Gunners are now well-stocked in the middle of the park and at the back.
Selling the Ukrainian is still possible this summer, but suitors will likely prefer to wait until next summer to have him for free.
Recouping anything close to half of the £30 million they signed him for appears unlikely, but Arsenal will not hesitate to cash in if a decent offer arrives as they may have to sell to fund a move for any big-money signing again this summer.
Gabriel Martinelli and Jorginho recently agreed that Zinchenko is the funniest player at the club and also tipped him to make the best pundit out of the current players.
His presence in the dressing room is huge and his teammates would love to have him around for much longer, but he is set to be on his way out next summer if he remains beyond this one having failed to impress defensively in recent seasons.
His talents on the ball are undeniable, but defensively he is flimsy, with teams regularly targeting his side with diagonal switches and quick counter-attacks, and parting ways is best for both parties.
