Latest Arsenal transfer news with Oleksandr Zinchenko set to join a Premier League rival on loan
Arsenal have completed a late summer transfer with Nottingham Forest for the loan of Oleksandr Zinchenko. football.london understands that despite the player being in the final year of his contract, the club will benefit from a loan fee and his wages being covered, although at present it remains to be seen whether the full weekly package is being covered by Forest.
A deal sheet was submitted that allowed work to continue on the switch beyond 7pm. Marseille explored a move for Zinchenko, but he will stay in the Premier League and link back up with Edu Gaspar, who signed the Ukraine international during his time at Arsenal.
Clubs in Germany and Italy also expressed interest, but an exit looked complicated given his high salary at Emirates Stadium. Borussia Dortmund held an interest in the player last summer but opted against a move.
Zinchenko was among many made available by Arsenal this summer and looked set to be the only one staying at Arsenal with Jakub Kiwior joining Porto and Reiss Nelson set to sign for Brentford. Fabio Vieira and Sambi Lokonga have also officially made moves to Hamburg.
Piero Hincapie has been the only incoming on deadline day with the 23-year-old joining Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard and Kepa Arrizabalaga as summer arrivals.
His last-minute switch came as somewhat of a shock, with the Gunners seemingly well-stocked in defence. However, the recent injury issues faced by Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber do mean the move makes sense. William Saliba’s picking up an injury against Liverpool has seen it further justified.
Arteta has also been handed fitness issues further up the pitch with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz set for spells out. The latter has undergone surgery on a minor knee issue with a return date currently unclear.
Saka, meanwhile, could actually be back after the international break when the Gunners welcome Nottingham Forest and a potential return of Zinchenko to Emirates Stadium. Although he will be unable to face his current parent club.
However, a return the following week against Manchester City or just a few days before that in the Champions League at Athletic Club seems more likely.
Madueke seems more than capable of filling in on the right in the meantime, with the bigger problems seeming to be on the opposite flank after another disappointing display by Gabriel Martinelli.
Eze came on for his debut at Anfield in that position and can feature there despite his preference to be deployed centrally.