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Bayern Munich have set their sights on Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko, who could potentially become Vincent Kompany’s first signing as the new manager.
The former Burnley boss was presented to the media on Thursday following a tumultuous three-month managerial search, but Bayern have wasted no time identifying transfer targets in the meantime.
Zinchenko, 27, found himself relegated to third in the left-back pecking order under Mikel Arteta towards the end of the season, losing out to Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior for crucial games. With the return of Jurrien Timber from an ACL injury set to intensify competition in both full-back positions, Bayern see an opportunity to bolster their squad depth.
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The speculation surrounding Zinchenko’s future has been fueled by ongoing links between Bayern and the departure of Alphonso Davies to Real Madrid. The German giants are closely monitoring developments with Zinchenko as they seek to reinforce their defensive options.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Vincent Kompany were teammates at Manchester City (Image credit: Getty Images)Since his £35 million move to Arsenal in 2022, Zinchenko has shown promise but has struggled for consistent game-time due to a shift in tactics under Arteta and persistent injury concerns, particularly with his calf.
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Having previously played alongside Kompany at Manchester City for three years, Zinchenko’s style of play aligns well with the new manager’s vision, potentially making a move beneficial for all parties involved.
However, Zinchenko is not the only left-back on Bayern’s radar, with AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez also attracting their interest. Hernandez, a year younger than Zinchenko, boasts superior attacking prowess, having scored 29 goals and provided 35 assists in 214 appearances. Despite his attributes, Hernandez’s potential transfer could command a hefty fee, with Milan reportedly demanding €80 million (£68 million) for his services.
Meanwhile, Zinchenko himself has acknowledged his personal struggles during the 2023-24 season in an end-of-season post on social media. Expressing pride in his team’s efforts, Zinchenko vowed to return stronger and thanked the fans for their unwavering support amidst Arsenal’s disappointment in missing out on the Premier League title.
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