Arsenal have reportedly made an approach to sign an affordable La Liga attacker but must fend off competition from AC Milan to win the race for his services.
Ukrainian winger Viktor Tsygankov was central to Girona's astonishing 2023-24 season, having a direct hand in 15 goals in 30 matches as Michel's side finished third in the table to qualify for the Champions League.
The 26-year-old registered eight goals of his own in addition to providing seven assists in the top flight, taking his total for the club to 11 goals and 13 assists in 53 games in all tournaments.
Tsygankov rose to prominence with Dynamo Kiev before leaving midway through the 2022-23 season to join Girona, who forked out just €5m (£4.3m) to prise him away from his boyhood club.
After excelling domestically in 2023-24, the winger was also named in Ukraine's Euro 2024 squad after playing four games for his nation at Euro 2020, including 54 minutes in their quarter-final defeat to England.
© Reuters
Arsenal 'could sign Tsygankov for £25.5m'
Tsygankov's Girona contract still has another three years left to run, but he could reportedly be available for as little as €30m (£25.5m) thanks to a release clause in his agreement.
The Ukraine international's exploits have apparently attracted the attention of Arsenal, as AS claims that the Gunners have now made an approach to his representatives over a summer deal.
Playing in the Champions League is supposedly of paramount importance for Tsygankov, who is therefore not interested in a move to Arsenal's North London rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who are also keen admirers.
Instead, the Gunners' fiercest competition will come from Italy in the shape of AC Milan, but Mikel Arteta's side would almost certainly be able to offer Tsygankov a higher wage packet than the Rossoneri.
As far as the player is concerned, he supposedly has no interest in pondering his next move while he focuses on Ukraine's Euro 2024 campaign, but he will not try to force a move away from Girona at any point.
Arteta "in love" with Tsygankov
© Reuters
Furthermore, the Spanish upstarts began to discuss a new contract with Tsygankov over the winter, but negotiations over a renewal with a higher release clause have been put on hold for the time being.
Talks should ramp up once more when Ukraine's Euro 2024 campaign comes to an end, but Arsenal boss Arteta is said to be "in love" with the winger and believes that he can seamlessly slot into his team.
The Gunners are expected to be in the market for a new right-sided attacker to provide backup and competition for Bukayo Saka, whose availability has always been excellent, but he frequently picked up niggles in 2023-24.
Saka's only natural backup - Reiss Nelson - is expected to be sold due to his lack of minutes, while Fabio Vieira has also struggled for game time, allegedly due to poor training performances.
