Arsenal are set to officially announce the permanent departure of Oleksandr Zinchenko to Ajax later today, marking the end of the Ukrainian defender’s tenure at the Emirates Stadium in a deal that represents a significant financial loss for the Gunners.
The 29-year-old, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for a fee of £32m including add-ons, has agreed to a move worth just €1.5m (£1.3m), highlighting the club’s ongoing challenges in recouping substantial fees from player sales. This transaction comes as Zinchenko’s contract with Arsenal was due to expire in the summer, prompting the shift from an initially planned loan to a permanent transfer.
Zinchenko made an immediate impact upon his arrival at Arsenal, contributing to the team’s strong performances in his debut season. However, the signings of players like Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber, combined with the rise of young talent Myles Lewis-Skelly, diminished his role in the squad. This led to a loan spell at Nottingham Forest at the start of the current campaign, where he featured sparingly in the first half of the season.
Seeking a fresh start, Zinchenko flew to Amsterdam on Friday to undergo his medical with Ajax. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the defender has now passed his medical examinations and signed his contract with the Dutch club. “Oleksandr Zinchenko has passed his medical and signed his contract at the club,” Romano posted on X. “All counter signed by Arsenal for €1.5m deal completed. Official statement today.”
This move underscores Arsenal’s recent transfer market trends. While the club has generally succeeded in acquisitions—with a few exceptions like the signing of Viktor Gyokeres drawing scrutiny—their ability to generate profits from outgoing players remains a weak point. Notably, Arsenal’s record sale is still the £35m received for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s transfer to Liverpool in 2017. Selling Zinchenko for approximately 25 times less than his purchase price exemplifies this issue.
For Ajax, acquiring an experienced international like Zinchenko could bolster their defensive options as they aim to strengthen their squad mid-season. The deal, which includes Ajax covering his salary, is expected to be short-term, potentially until the end of the season, aligning with his impending free agent status.
As Arsenal fans await the official confirmation, this transfer closes a chapter on Zinchenko’s time in north London, where he contributed to memorable campaigns but ultimately fell out of favor amid squad evolution