Arsenal are closing in on capturing the services of Oleksandr Zinchenko after weeks of being linked with a move for the Manchester City full-back.
The defender is thought to be seeking consistent game time after playing second fiddle to Joao Cancelo since his arrival from Juventus. That’s not to say the 25-year-old hasn’t been a valued member of the squad, though.
The Ukraine captain was handed 28 outings last term and served up five assists. As well as an offensive talent, Zinchenko has also been an assured figure at the back, but there is now a growing expectation that the move will happen.
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His presence would undoubtedly be missed, especially so after CJ Egan-Riley ’s exit. The 19-year-old has joined Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, leaving Kyle Walker without a direct back-up at right-back.
Egan-Riley’s move will no doubt prove to be invaluable as he looks to develop, but his switch puts strain on Joao Cancelo if reinforcements are not brought in. The Portugal star, of course, is a right-back by nature so if Walker is ruled out then he will be brought across to cover the shortfall.
But it potentially leaves City exposed on the other flank, should Zinchenko move on. Pep Guardiola is targeting Brighton's Marc Cucurella as a possible replacement but there is no guarantee he will hit the ground running.
The City manager would not be chasing the full-back if he didn't think he could adapt to City’s style of play. But the defender will feel the pressure to perform if Walker suffers an injury and Cancelo is required to move over.
Nathan Ake showed his left-back credentials when he was called upon last season. But with a Chelsea return looming, Guardiola could be left with no choice but to start Cucurella.
Assuming Ake's replacement would be a centre-back, Zinchenko’s exit makes Cucurella’s acquisition important. It, in turn, would mean the Spain international must be prepared to potentially have a short bedding-in period.
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