Bayern Munich, the German powerhouse, is eyeing Arsenal’s left back Oleksandr Zinchenko to reinforce their defense, reportedly due to the anticipated departure of Alphonso Davies to Real Madrid this summer. However, Arsenal may not be eager to part ways with Zinchenko.
Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, has a strong bond with Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, stemming from their time together at City. Despite being valued by Bayern, Zinchenko’s connection with Arteta could influence him to stay at Arsenal.
The Ukrainian defender has spoken highly of Arteta, even admitting to shedding tears when Arteta departed City. Zinchenko expressed his admiration for Arteta’s mentorship and vowed to only play under him if he left City and stayed in the Premier League.
Although Zinchenko has been sidelined since February, his deputy Jakub Kiwior has performed well in his absence, particularly showcasing defensive prowess. Kiwior’s recent standout performance against Porto in the Champions League has raised questions about Zinchenko’s future role at Arsenal.
Despite the strong relationship between Arteta and Zinchenko, continued benching could potentially sway Zinchenko’s decision, especially with interest from a prestigious club like Bayern Munich. However, Bayern would need to meet Arsenal’s valuation of £45 million to secure Zinchenko’s service.
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