Transfer Centre

Manchester City 'face battle to keep hold of Oleksandr Zinchenko'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 31 May 2022

Man City 'face battle to keep hold of Oleksandr Zinchenko'

Manchester City will have to promise Oleksandr Zinchenko more regular action next season in order to keep him this summer, according to a report.

Manchester City will reportedly have to promise Oleksandr Zinchenko more regular action next season in order to prevent him from pushing for a summer exit.

The Ukraine international made 28 appearances for the Citizens during the 2021-22 campaign, contributing five assists, but he only featured on 15 occasions in the Premier League.

Zinchenko only started 10 league matches last term, meanwhile, but he did play in both legs of their Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid and is an important squad player at Etihad Stadium.

A recent report claimed that Arsenal are keen to sign the 25-year-old during this summer's transfer window, with Gunners boss Mikel Arteta a huge admirer of the Ukrainian, having worked with him closely during his time as assistant manager at Etihad Stadium.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Man City are facing a battle to convince Zinchenko to remain with the club beyond the end of the summer market.

Ukraine's Oleksandr Zinchenko celebrates after the match on June 29, 2021 © Reuters

The report claims that Zinchenko is determined to play more regularly next season, and Guardiola will not stand in his way if the player signals a desire to move on.

The four-time Premier League title winner has scored two goals and registered 12 assists in 128 appearances for the Citizens since making the move from FC Ufa in 2016.

Zinchenko has largely played as a left-back for Man City but operates as a midfielder for his country and would allegedly be used in that area of the field if he made the move to Arsenal.

Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has confirmed that the club will be making "a couple more" signings this summer, with a new left-sided defender believed to be wanted by the English champions.

"I can confirm that there will be more players coming in," he told the club's official website. "We are looking to strengthen the team in the areas that we need strengthening. As you know, every season some players leave, and then we have to continuously refresh the team.

"Again, we will always look at improving and strengthening. I think we've made two very important additions already, but I anticipate we'll be doing a couple more. We'll try to go as fast as we can, but you know how the market goes. It's not always entirely in our control."

Ukraine's Oleksandr Zinchenko during training, July 2, 2021 © Reuters

Zinchenko has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups during his time in Manchester and is believed to be one of two Man City players wanted by Arsenal this summer.

Gabriel Jesus has also been strongly linked with a move to Emirates Stadium, and the Brazil international's agent recently confirmed that he had spoken to Arteta's side about a potential move for his client.

"We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus. We like the project – it's a possibility we're discussing. There are six more clubs interested in Gabriel. He's focused on the final games with Man City; we'll see," Marcelo Pettinati told Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Erling Braut Haaland will arrive at Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund this summer, while Julian Alvarez will officially move to the club in the upcoming market.

As a result, Jesus could find his opportunities limited during the 2022-23 campaign, and the Brazilian is allegedly keen to move elsewhere in a bid to secure regular starts.