News of Oleksandr Zinchenko's potential move to Ajax broke on Sunday, when several Dutch outlets reported of ongoing negotiations between Ajax and Arsenal for the 29-year-old. A six-month loan deal was the aim, with Zinchenko's contract in North London running out in the summer of 2026.
Plans have changed in the negotiations, however, with Zinchenko now likely joining Ajax permanently. Voetbal International's Tim van Duijn reported on Tuesday that Ajax now want to sign Zinchenko on a six-month deal with the aim of potentially exploring a long-term deal in the summer. The loan fee which Ajax and Arsenal agreed on will be used as a transfer fee.
The transfer resembles that of former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu, who signed a six-month deal with Ajax in December as the Japanese international continues to recover from injuries suffered while at the Gunners. The contract, colloquially called a 'prove-it deal', gives Ajax and new technical director Jordi Cruyff the opportunity to properly judge whether a long-term deal is a good fit for both player and club.
Zinchenko, a 75-time Ukrainian international, spent the last six months on loan at Nottingham Forest, but has only appeared in five Premier League games for the Tricky Trees. The left-back, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, has played 150 Premier League games in his career and knows the Eredivisie well from his season-long loan at PSV during the 2016/17 season.
