Arsenal in talks to sell £30m defender in permanent deal after transfer development

Oleksandr Zinchenko is in talks to leave Arsenal and join Ajax on a permanent transfer this month.

The Ukraine international spent the first-half of the season on loan at Nottingham Forest, starting just four Premier League games in what has been a miserable spell at the City Ground.

Sean Dyche has informed the 27-year-old he is not in his plans with Forest keen to terminate the loan ahead of schedule.

Zinchenko’s representatives are looking to find him a new club for the second-half of the campaign with his contract at Arsenal due to expire at the end of the season

Ajax emerged as a possible destination over the weekend with talks over a loan move progressing quickly.

With a deal agreed with Ajax set to cover his salary in full, a medical was scheduled to take place today but De Telegraaf report those plans have now been delayed with a permanent transfer now on the table.

The Dutch publication reports that while ‘the ball is currently in Arsenal’s court,’ the expectation is that a deal will go through.

Zinchenko made eight appearances for the Gunners last season but has found opportunities at Forest even harder to come by.

Neco Williams has established himself as Forest’s first-choice left-back with Dyche effectively signalling the end of the Ukrainian’s time at the club last week.

‘We’ve spoken to the player, made him clear on his situation. He’s aware of that so we’ll see what happens,’ the Forest manager told reporters.

‘He’s played a couple of games, but hasn’t featured in others. He’s been injured. That hasn’t been helpful to him or to us. I’ve just been open with him, really. It’s like I say, I’m open with all players. 

‘But I think when you’ve done as much as he has in the game, it’s more of a conversation. Not demanding anything other than just telling him the truth, as I see it. And that’s how much he can figure out, how much game-time he’s going to get at this time.’

Zinchenko joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for a £30million fee.