Oleksandr Zinchenko may soon find himself at a new Premier League club, with Fulham emerging as serious contenders for the Arsenal defender’s signature. The Ukrainian, who is now in the final year of his contract, had limited opportunities last season and is now considered surplus to requirements at the Emirates.
Despite being known for his versatility, Zinchenko fell down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order, with Riccardo Calafiori and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly overtaking him in the battle for the left-back role. Although he can operate in midfield, that flexibility hasn’t been enough to guarantee him a future in North London.
Fulham, led by Marco Silva, are reportedly ready to make a move. With Kenny Tete departing at the end of his contract, Fulham had been targeting a right-back but are now open to using Zinchenko both in defence and midfield. The plan would be to provide cover for Antonee Robinson while also giving competition to Harrison Reed, Sasa Lukic, Tom Cairney, and Josh King in central areas.
Arsenal are believed to value Zinchenko at £12.7 million, but Fulham are optimistic about negotiating a deal closer to £10 million. Other clubs are also monitoring the situation, including AC Milan—who see Zinchenko as a potential replacement for Theo Hernandez—as well as Borussia Dortmund and Ajax.
Zinchenko, who previously featured for Manchester City, is reportedly settled in London. That could make a move across the capital to Craven Cottage an attractive option, especially if regular game time and a key role in Fulham’s plans are guaranteed. With Arsenal preparing for an overhaul, the 28-year-old could be one of the next exits from the squad.