Oleksandr Zinchenko transfer latest: Arsenal left with one hurdle to clear as star flies to Orlando to seal £32m deal

Arsenal are on the brink of finalising the signing of Oleksandr Zinchenko with the star on Tuesday saying his final farewells to his Manchester City teammates and boarding a flight to Orlando.

The Gunners have been seeking a new left-back this summer to provide cover and competition for Kieran Tierney. Last summer’s signing, Nuno Tavaraes, looked a little out of his depth and Mikel Arteta has made a new recruit there a priority. And it seems like they are now on the brink of ending that search with the signing of Zinchenko imminent.

The Gunners have moved quickly to close on an agreement with Manchester City. Paying £30m, with £2m in additions, he has already agreed a deal to keep him at Emirates Stadium until 2026.

With everything now in place, the Ukranian has now said his goodbyes to his City teammates, where they are currently based in Houston, Texas.

Coveniently, his new employers Arsenal are currently a short flight away across the United States in Florida. It is there that the Gunners are preparing for their match against Orlando City on Thursday.

Now, as per The Sun, Zinchenko will take the 2hr 25min flight to Orlando later on Tuesday to undergo a medical with the Gunners.

And assuming he passes that without a problem, the 25-year-old’s transfer will likely be formally announced in the next 24 hours.

Indeed, as per Fabrizio Romano, the deal is almost done and Arsenal are now ‘drawing up the paperwork’.

Ill-timed Oleksandr Zinchenko interview released

News of Zinchenko’s imminent move to Arsenal come just days after an interview was released on the City website.

Rarely a regular under Pep Guardiola, the player has made clear his aims to get ready for the new season.

He said: “The target now is to try and build up our physical conditions and the tactical side of things.

“There are a lot of different things [to work on] obviously after a long vacation, a little bit more than three weeks.

“Now it’s time to work, to be ready and prepare ourselves as much and as well as we can.”

However, his preparations for the new season will come about in a new environment at Arsenal.

Arsenal are getting themselves an excellent player

Zinchenko will become Arsenal’s fifth signing of the summer and their second from Manchester City, following Gabriel Jesus.

The Gunners have also brought in Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner.

And the capture of Oleksandr Zinchenko may, arguably, be the best signing of the lot.

The 25-year-old player brings with him a wealth of experience from his days at City. Playing in latter stages of European competition, he has also won an impressive 52 caps for Ukraine.

And the benefit for Arteta is that Zinchenko can operate in a plethora of positions. Often utilised as a left-back at City, he is also comfortable as a left wing-back, on the left of midfield or even in a more advanced No 10 position.

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Blessed with sublime skills, Zinchenko can also offer Arsenal a strong attacking presence down the left-hand side. At £32m, Arsenal are landing a player of genuine quality and, in the modern market, one at a decent price.

Meanwhile, signing No 6 could also soon be on the cards for Arsenal with Youri Tielemans seemingly making his transfer feelings clear.