It is becoming increasingly apparent that Mikel Arteta and technical director Edu are playing a crucial role in selling the Arsenal project to their transfer targets this summer.
Gabriel Jesus has already mentioned the positive conversations he held with the pair, highlighting how they assured him it was best for his career and ambitions moving forward.
The same is being said about Oleksandr Zinchenko, who is reportedly closing in on a £32m move from Manchester City. Arsenal had swiftly turned their attention to the Ukrainian international after pulling out of the race for Lisandro Martinez, and speedy negotiations have seen all parties reach an agreement.
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The 25-year-old is expected to undergo a medical in the coming days before putting the finishing touches on the deal, making him the club's fifth summer signing. However, his arrival means that it's not just Arteta and Edu that can play a part in signing new players for the remainder of the window.
Zinchenko has touched on his special relationship with Leroy Sane, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate to bolster Arsenal's frontline. The duo played together at City for four years until Sane completed a transfer to Bayern Munich worth around £55m in 2020.
Pep Guardiola's side takes on the Bundesliga giants on Saturday in a pre-season friendly, and when speaking to Manchester City's media channel, Zinchenko spoke about how he was looking forward to reuniting with his former teammate. "Leroy Sane is an amazing guy, and we have an unbelievable relationship with each other, like everyone in the team. It's going to be really nice to see him," he said.
Unfortunately for Zinchenko, he may not get the chance to catch up with his friend due to the imminent switch to Arsenal, but who knows, maybe that will make him even more determined to convince his new bosses to make their move.
As well as Zinchenko, Jesus will also be close to the German international after establishing a great understanding alongside each other in City's attack. There is already a connection established with Arteta, too, having coached him during his time as Guardiola's assistant.
Whether or not Sane is a realistic target for the Gunners this summer remains to be seen, but if he is, they have some really useful tools at their disposal that can put them in a strong position if interest ever intensified.
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