Arsenal are focused on balancing their books after an impressive start to the summer transfer window.
Sporting director Andrea Berta impressed Arsenal fans by delivering six new signings to Mikel Arteta in time for pre-season.
Each of Arsenal’s new summer signings has made an appearance ahead of the new season, which kicks off on Sunday against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Arsenal squad named to face United on matchday one could look very different to the one that faces the remainder of the campaign, however, as the Gunners are braced for exits.
- READ MORE: Andrea Berta already knows the five players he needs to get rid of at Arsenal this summer
Oleksandr Zinchenko is considering staying at Arsenal
Before another incoming will be a flurry of exits, and one player surely on his way out is Oleksandr Zinchenko.
The Ukrainian made only five Premier League starts last season, paving the way to his exit.
Zinchenko’s lack of game time isn’t the only reason the Gunners are willing to cash in on him this summer, as the left-back is also one of several Arsenal players whose contracts are expiring in 2026.
Preventing their £30m 2022 signing from leaving for free next summer is important for Arsenal, but the player has other ideas.
As reported by The Athletic, Zinchenko is ‘giving consideration’ to the idea of seeing his contract out to depart as a free agent next year.
It’s unsurprisingly noted that Arsenal would ‘prefer a sale’ in this window, with the club hoping to quash the defender’s plot to stick around.
Fortunately for Berta’s transfer plans, the 28-year-old is not short of suitors, with Fenerbahce meeting with Arsenal about Zinchenko.
Zinchenko is also wanted by Fulham, who are also showing an interest in signing fellow outsider Reiss Nelson.
Arsenal need to get Zinchenko out
Putting his lack of game time aside, Arsenal will struggle to replace Zinchenko’s quality, with the Ukraine international being one of the most technically gifted players in the squad.
That being said, in the left-back’s case, the need to sell certainly outweighs any reason to keep him.
As well as concerns about losing the former Manchester City star as a free agent, Arsenal would benefit from shifting the defender’s salary from the wage book.
As per Capology, Zinchenko is one of Arsenal’s top earners, collecting £200k-a-week, which equates to a sum of £10.4m-a-year.
Everything is pointing at the need to sell Zinchenko this summer and, with interest rife, there’s a good chance Berta will get his wish.
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