Olympique Marseille are in talks to sign Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to The Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
The French club are interested in a permanent transfer. However, his high wages remain a stumbling block and must be resolved before progress can be made.
Negotiations are ongoing, with Marseille working to see if an agreement can be reached before the transfer window closes on Monday.
Arsenal are also preparing to bring in Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, which leaves Zinchenko without a clear role at the club.
The Ukraine international has just 12 months left on his contract with the Gunners. Last season, he played only 23 matches across all competitions.
Zinchenko has not featured in Arsenal’s first two league matches this season, a clear sign that his spell at the club is close to ending.
The left-back joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £ 30 million more £ 2M in add-ons.
Arsenal ready to part ways with Zinchenko
During his first two seasons at the Emirates Stadium, Zinchenko was Mikel Arteta’s main left-back. He made 33 appearances in his debut year, followed by 35 in the next campaign.
Those seasons saw Arsenal push Manchester City close in the league title race, with Zinchenko being a regular starter.
His position changed last term when academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly became Arteta’s main choice at left-back.
Jurrien Timber and Jakub Kiwior also filled in on the left side. Kiwior is close to a move to Porto, but Riccardo Calafiori is another option.
The shift has pushed Zinchenko down the pecking order and left his future uncertain at the Emirates.
If he leaves, it would also give Arsenal more room in their wage structure and ease their financial concerns.
Marseille remain hopeful that a deal can be agreed before the transfer deadline. Whether they can overcome the salary obstacle will determine if Zinchenko moves to France this summer.
