'Serious talks': Sky Sports journalist says Atletico Madrid now want to sign £30m Arsenal star in shock move

Today at 12:45 PM

Arsenal’s focus is on incomings in this transfer window, but one of their players could leave too.

The Gunners are in the market for a new striker. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus’ injuries have forced them into the window, and they are working really hard for a new forward.

Arsenal fans’ eyes are on that as we get close to the final week of the window, but there could be movement in the opposite direction too now.

Spanish giants Atletico Madrid want to sign an Arsenal player in the coming days.

Atletico Madrid in talks to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal

Oleksandr Zinchenko has had a difficult time at Arsenal over the last year.

The Ukraine international, who joined the Gunners for £30 million from Manchester City in 2022 (BBC), has fallen down Mikel Arteta’s pecking order.

The likes of Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and even Jakub Kiwior are ahead of him at left-back, and that is not expected to change.

TBR confirmed that Borussia Dortmund have Zinchenko on their list of targets, but now, there’s another club in the mix for his signature.

Sky Sports Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg has revealed that Atletico Madrid are in serious talks to sign the left-back, who is ‘keen’ to leave the Emirates this month.

Arsenal are open to letting Zinchenko leave, but they are demanding €20 million (£16.8m) plus add-ons.

Plettenberg tweeted: “Understand that Atlético Madrid have now entered the race for Oleksandr Zinchenko. Serious talks are underway, with Atlético open to either a permanent deal or a loan with an obligation to buy.

“Current price valuation: €20m + add-ons. The 28-y/o left-back is keen to leave Arsenal. Dortmund remain in the race but are currently less active, as the package is too expensive and #BVB are looking for a player who can also play as a centre-back.”

Zinchenko should take inspiration from a former Tottenham defender

One of the biggest reasons why Zinchenko is no longer a regular for Arsenal is his defensive qualities.

The 28-year-old has made several mistakes at the back for the Gunners over the last two years, and that is a big problem.

That makes Atletico Madrid’s interest a shock because Diego Simeone is a defensive coach, but he has pulled this trick off in the past.

When Atleti signed Kieran Tripper from Tottenham, the Englishman was criticised for his defending. Simeone brought him in and improved him massively.

Zinchenko could become much better at the back if he joins Atletico Madrid, and we think that would be a great move for him in the final days of this window.