Ligue 1 Club Interested in Signing 28-year-old Arsenal Star | OneFootball

Marseille Explore Zinchenko Transfer

Olympique Marseille are working on a deal to sign Arsenal full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, according to The Athletic. The Ligue 1 side are considering a permanent move but salary demands remain a significant obstacle.

The 28-year-old Ukrainian international has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates. He made only 23 appearances across all competitions in 2024-25, signalling a shift in Mikel Arteta’s plans as Arsenal reshape their defensive structure.

Arsenal’s Changing Left-Back Options

Zinchenko arrived from Manchester City in 2022 for £30 million plus add-ons, becoming Arteta’s preferred left-back across his first two seasons. He was a key figure in the side that twice came close to ending Arsenal’s long wait for a Premier League title, making 33 and 35 appearances in those campaigns.

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Last season told a different story. Academy graduate Myles Lewis-Skelly emerged as the starting left-back, with Jurrien Timber, Jakub Kiwior and Riccardo Calafiori providing further competition. As The Athletic note, Zinchenko’s place in the squad is no longer assured.

Marseille’s Ambition Under De Zerbi

Marseille’s pursuit of Zinchenko comes during an ambitious summer under new head coach Roberto De Zerbi. The French club have already added former Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who joined on a free transfer after leaving Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qadsiah.

Salary is the major stumbling block. Zinchenko’s wages at Arsenal are considerable, and Marseille will need to find financial solutions to push the deal through before Monday’s transfer deadline. Yet there is a clear determination to explore the opportunity.

Arsenal’s Wider Transfer Picture

Arsenal’s transfer window has already seen significant activity. Eberechi Eze, Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Noni Madueke, Cristhian Mosquera and Christian Norgaard have all arrived. Work continues on a move for Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie, with Jakub Kiwior’s agreed transfer to Porto dependent on Arsenal completing that deal.

Photo: IMAGO

Departures have also reshaped the defensive line. Kieran Tierney has rejoined Celtic, Takehiro Tomiyasu departed on a free transfer, and Nuno Tavares completed a permanent switch to Lazio. With Zinchenko now the subject of interest from Marseille, Arsenal’s left-back department is undergoing a major reset.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Arsenal supporters, the situation with Zinchenko is tinged with both gratitude and inevitability. His arrival from Manchester City in 2022 was pivotal. He brought leadership, tactical intelligence and a winning mentality, helping Arsenal come closer than ever to reclaiming the Premier League crown. His inverted role in midfield set patterns of play that defined Arteta’s tactical evolution.

However, football evolves quickly. Zinchenko’s defensive vulnerabilities became more apparent, particularly against fast wide players, and injuries disrupted his rhythm. The emergence of Myles Lewis-Skelly, coupled with the versatility of Timber and Calafiori, has pushed him down the pecking order. Supporters can see why the club are open to parting ways, especially as they rebuild for sustained title challenges.

Marseille feels like a good destination. Under De Zerbi, Zinchenko would likely thrive in possession-heavy football, with his technical strengths highlighted rather than exposed. Many Arsenal fans would wish him well, particularly given his contributions to lifting the standards of the squad. Yet they will also recognise the importance of Arsenal’s refresh. With Eze, Gyokeres and Zubimendi already in, and Hincapie targeted, Arteta’s rebuild is accelerating. Zinchenko’s potential departure is a natural step in that process.