Arsenal reportedly turned down the chance to sign Alejandro Grimaldo from Benfica, choosing instead to buy Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 13: Alejandro Grimaldo of Benfica attempts to move past Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Liverpool FC and SL Benfica at Anfield on April 13, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 13: Alejandro Grimaldo of Benfica attempts to move past Mohamed Salah of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg Two match between Liverpool FC and SL Benfica at Anfield on April 13, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Arsenal have been linked with Alejandro Grimaldo for years so Benfica no doubt expected them to still be keen when they got in touch over the summer.

They were not.

According to The S*n, Grimaldo was offered to Arsenal but they turned him down in order to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Manchester City for £31.5m.

Zinchenko’s signing was something of a coup for Arsenal given that City didn’t really want him to leave and their fans were absolutely gutted about the deal.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Arsenal FC at Selhurst Park on August 05, 2022. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

The 25-year-old returned to first team training this week ahead of Arsenal’s games against FC Zurich in the Europa League and Chelsea in the Premier League.

While he has obviously impressed when he’s played this season, he hasn’t played anywhere near enough due to a variety of problems.

In total, Zinchenko has missed 13 of Arsenal’s 19 games. He has played the full 90 just once – against Bournemouth on 20 August.

Grimaldo, meanwhile, remained with Benfica when they transfer window closed.

The left-back, who is out of contract in the summer, continues to be a regular starter for them and looks set for a free transfer if Benfica can’t sell him in January.