Arsenal set transfer price for star Mikel Arteta loves as talks held and 'deal signed'

Arsenal have slapped a £17million price tag on defender Oleksandr Zinchenko which AC Milan are willing to pay. Zinchenko, 28, has fallen down the pecking order at left-back through a combination of injuries and the emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly.

The Ukrainian started just five Premier League games last term, with Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Jakub Kiwior also sharing the minutes at left-back. But it was teenage sensation Lewis-Skelly who made the position his own during the second half of the season and the England international is set to be handed a new contract.

An official announcement is expected in the coming weeks, with Arsenal due to return for pre-season training next month. Zinchenko could be gone by then, with the Gunners willing to accept a cut-price fee given that he only has one year left on his contract.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport claim that Milan have been told they can sign Zinchenko for just £17m. The Serie A giants are looking to replace left-back Theo Hernandez, who's bound for Saudi Arabia.

Milan's sporting director, Igli Tare, has been in contact with intermediaries who are responsible for managing Zinchenko's potential departure from the Emirates. The former Manchester City star is understood to be open to the switch to San Siro, having previously been linked with German heavyweights Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

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It's added that Zinchenko's wage demands are now the only obstacle blocking him from joining Milan, who recently re-hired ex-manager Massimiliano Allegri. The Rossoneri have identified Belgian left-back Maxim De Cuyper of Club Brugge as an alternative.

Zinchenko's exit could be part of a defensive shake-up at Arsenal. Kieran Tierney has already left to join Celtic on a free transfer while Kiwior continues to be linked with a move away.

Should Arsenal sell Oleksandr Zinchenko? Have your say in the comments section.

In March, Zinchenko revealed that he wasn't sure about his future. "I don't know yet to be honest," the 26-year-old admitted. "If I knew, I could tell you. It's still a long way to go until the end of the season."

Zinchenko added: "Honestly, I am so happy to be part of this amazing club and team. It is really a joy to be close to these guys. Whenever the team and head coach needs me, I am there. In any position they need me, I am there to help.

"Even if I will be in the stands, I will try to make an impact as much as I can, to push the others, just to hug someone, whatever! It is really a joy to be here."

The Ukrainian's lack of action in the past campaign are a far cry from previous seasons at the Emirates when Arteta used him regularly and would often defend him in the face of critics.

Speaking after he made an error in a 2-1 win over Wolves in December 2023, Arteta said: "You have to love him, how he is. Every player has strengths and weaknesses. Alex has many more strengths.

"This happened and it can happen to any player. We have to learn from it because there are certain areas where it’s a big no to play, especially after certain things in the previous phase. That’s it. We will get better."

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