Bayern Munich are monitoring Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer, according to a report, with Vincent Kompany now in charge at the club.

Liverpool's English midfielder #17 Curtis Jones (L) fights for the ball with Arsenal's Ukrainian defender #35 Oleksandr Zinchenko during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024.(Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool’s Curtis Jones (L) fights for the ball with Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in London on February 4, 2024. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

John Cross reports for the Mirror that Bayern Munich are monitoring Oleksandr Zinchenko’s situation this summer, and the former Manchester City defender could become Vincent Kompany’s first signing as their new manager.

Bayern’s Alphonso Davies has been heavily linked with Real Madrid, potentially leaving the Bundesliga club in need of a left-back signing, and they’re keeping an eye on Zinchenko.

In addition to Bayern’s need for a left-back signing, there’s also the Kompany connection to Zinchenko, with the pair having played together at Manchester City.

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - JANUARY 30: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, interact after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal, interact after the team’s victory in the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal FC at City Ground on January 30, 2024. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Zinchenko wasn’t exactly unused by Arsenal in 2023/24, playing 35 times in all competitions and making 24 starts.

But only six of the 27-year-old’s 20 Premier League starts came in 2024, as he was relegated to more of a backup role towards the end of the season.

That’s not even accounting for the fact that Jurrien Timber was out for most of the campaign.

Timber started the season at left-back and made a couple of u21 appearances in the position on his return from injury, so it’s very possible that’s where Mikel Arteta sees him next season.

Jurrien Timber celebrates his goal for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)
Jurrien Timber scores a goal for the Arsenal u21s (Photo via Arsenal Academy on Twitter)

If you add the Dutchman into the mix, Zinchenko could be competing against Timber, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu for starts, with rumours that Arsenal are still interested in signing another left-back.

A move to Bayern would seemingly offer a much surer route to starts next season, if they firm up their interest.