Kyle Walker has previously claimed that Arsenal transfer target Oleksandr Zinchenko is more technically gifted than Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne.
The north Londoners are keen to bolster the left side of their defence this summer, football.london understands, although incoming could potentially depend on how many fringe players can be offloaded. Ajax star Lisandro Martinez had been mooted as a potential target, with the Argentine's ability to play left-back, centre-back and holding midfield making him an extremely attractive option.
However, Martinez appears to be on his way to Manchester United instead, leaving the Gunners to turn their attention to City fullback Zinchenko, according to the Athletic. The report claims that the two clubs are in contact over a potential transfer for the Ukrainian international, who is into the final 24 months of his contract at the Etihad Stadium.
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The 25-year-old, who is valued between €20 million - €30 million (£17 million - £25 million) by CIES Football Observatory, has been a key member of Pep Guardiola's side in recent seasons and teammate Walker has even ranked him alongside the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Bernardo Silva when it comes to pure technical ability. When asked by YouTuber Michael Timbs, who the three most gifted players at the club were, the England star replied: “Not in any order, because I wouldn’t want to put them in any order, my top three are Zinchenko, [Riyad] Mahrez, [Bernardo] Silva.”
When quizzed further about Zinchenko, Walker added: "He's incredible, incredible. Two touches, head tennis, he's incredible. So good, so, so good.
"And then you're leaving the likes of De Bruyne out, Phil Foden, Cancelo. But they don't come close to those three."
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