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Arsenal Agree Loan Exit Deal for Oleksandr Zinchenko to Join Ajax
Arsenal are set for some transfer exit activity in the coming days, according to reports – with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s loan deal at Nottingham Forest seeing him switch clubs elsewhere across Europe.
Arsenal signed Zinchenko in the summer of 2022 under Mikel Arteta, and he was a huge part of their side that challenged Manchester City for the Premier League trophy on two consecutive occasions.
However, new signings such as Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, alongside the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly, saw him forced out of the Emirates Stadium – and after a measly loan spell at Forest, he’s set for a first move abroad to the Netherlands.
Romano: Zinchenko Set for Ajax Loan, Another Arsenal Exit Beckons
The report by Fabrizio Romano on X (formerly Twitter) states that Ajax have verbally agreed a deal to land Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal, with the Ukrainian having struggled for minutes at Nottingham Forest.
An agreement between the two is in place on a loan until June, which will see the former Manchester City star depart the City Ground for the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Zinchenko is set to fly over the next 24 hours for medical tests in Amsterdam, and Ajax will cover his £150,000-a-week salary now that a deal is in place.
Zinchenko joined Forest on transfer deadline day in September, though he has yet to be on the winning side in the Premier League under Sean Dyche.
He started three games under Ange Postecoglou, drawing against Burnley and losing to both Sunderland and Chelsea, before a groin injury kept him out of action for two months.
A cameo appearance in a loss against Fulham and a starting role in defeat to Everton at the turn of the year means Dyche does not favour him, especially with Zinchenko featuring in both cup defeats, meaning the only wins he’s seen have been in the Europa League against Porto and Utrecht.
Zinchenko’s Ajax Move Confirms Arsenal Career is Over
For Zinchenko, the end of his Gunners career was probably spelled out once he was loaned to Forest.
But this is a confirmed sign that Arsenal simply want him off the wage bill. It’s been almost four years since he moved to north London, and Zinchenko only made 15 appearances last season in a clear sign that he wasn’t first choice at left-back anymore.
Evidently, zero appearances this season for Arsenal means he’s been ostracised, especially in their title-leading form, and the 29-year-old will be hoping that a move to Ajax can keep him on the continental scene for a little while longer for the time being.
His Arsenal contract is up at the end of the season, and zero appearances for the club means he’ll finish up on 91 appearances for the club.
