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Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Gabriel Jesus has already responded to Oleksandr Zinchenko on Instagram as Arsenal eye transfer

Further reunions could be on the cards at Arsenal this summer as talks have resumed with Manchester City over the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko.

The Gunners had been linked with a move for the Ukraine international earlier in the window, but interest cooled off as attentions turned to Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez who was an attractive option for Mikel Arteta given his ability to play as a left-back, central defender and as a defensive midfielder.

However, with Manchester United also in the race and given Erik ten Hag - the Argentine's manager at Ajax - is now at the helm, it was always going to be a difficult transfer for Arsenal to get over the line and it turns out they have already accepted defeat and are now pursuing Zinchenko.

READ MORE: Arsenal have seven immediate Lisandro Martinez alternatives if Man United complete £52m transfer

That is according to the Athletic, who have reported that the north London outfit are in contact with Man City over a potential transfer for the 25-year-old and the good news is that the defending Premier League champions are open to sanctioning a sale if their valuation is met.

It's unclear as to what fee City would accept for Zinchenko, but with two years left on his contract, his estimated transfer value of €20m-€30m (£16.9m-£25.3m) as per CIES Football Observatory may indicate a realistic price tag if the Gunners want to prize him away from the Etihad Stadium.

Of course, Arsenal have already splashed the cash to sign a Man City player this summer. At the beginning of the month, Gabriel Jesus sealed his £45m move to the Emirates Stadium, reuniting with Arteta - whom he worked for three years in Manchester - and revealed it was a huge factor in his decision.

"We spoke a couple of times about the club, the players, the project and the future," the Brazilian said in an interview with the club's official website upon his arrival. "I believe 100 per cent in Mikel. I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well.

"He helped me a lot [at Manchester City]. We would always stick together after the training sessions and do some finishing or something. He’s a very intelligent guy and was an amazing player, so if he knows something he can teach me or the young players."

Now if Arsenal sign Zinchenko not only would Arteta be reunited with another player from his time as Pep Guardiola's assistant, but Gabriel Jesus will be reunited with his 'big friend' and 'bro' just weeks after the pair were split up when the Brazil international left Man City.

In fact, Zinchenko was one of many Man City players to wish Gabriel Jesus all the best at Arsenal once the transfer was confirmed: "Phenomenal," he wrote on Instagram. "What a player and person. True warrior which never gonna stop. I wish you all the best my brother @dejesusoficial."

To which Arsenal's new number nine responded by saying: "My big friend Zina…I will miss you my bro! You're an amazing player and person, I wish you all the best on your life!"

As seen above, the choice of image was rather interesting from Zinchenko as it was of the pair celebrating a goal at the Emirates Stadium in a Carabao Cup tie during the 2020/21 season after the versatile midfielder had claimed an assist for Gabriel Jesus to open the scoring after three minutes.

Perhaps they can recreate this image next season - although this time with both players in an Arsenal shirt and celebrating a goal for the hosts instead of against them.

Having impressed under Guardiola at left-back and in central midfield, Zinchenko is similar to Martinez in terms of versatility so he could help Arsenal recover from losing out to Man United whilst Gabriel Jesus would be reunited with a player whom he's clearly fond of.

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