Oleksandr Zinchenko closing in on lengthy Manchester City extension | OneFootball

Manchester City utility man Oleksandr Zinchenko is on the verge of penning a new five-year contract with the Premier League champions.

It represents quite the 12-month turnaround for the Ukrainian, who came close to leaving for Real Betis last summer.

But the club are now set to reward him for filling in admirably as a makeshift left-back last season in City’s treble-winning campaign.

The Telegraph report that Zinchenko is nearing an agreement that would tie him to the club until the summer of 2024.

The 22-year-old’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the 2019/20 season, although he did have an option for a further year.

Zinchenko’s displays at left-back for City have also convinced Pep Guardiola that he is a valuable member of the squad and has a long-term future at the club.

It also means that the coach has been happy to turn his attention away from Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell, who had been linked with a move to the Etihad Stadium.

Zinchenko is again expected to provide competition for Benjamin Mendy next season, while also offering options in midfield due to his versatility.

Last season, the Ukraine international made 29 appearances in all competitions as City won an unprecedented domestic treble.