Arsenal‘s Oleksandr Zinchenko has fuelled speculation about his future at the club by changing his agent amidst uncertainty surrounding the left-back position at the Emirates.
The Ukrainian international announced his move to Unique Football Agency on Instagram with the caption, “Proud to start this new chapter with Unique Football Agency. Let’s get started.”
He is their only client at the time of writing.
View this post on Instagram
This decision comes on the heels of a challenging 2023/24 season for Zinchenko, who struggled in several high-profile matches. Additionally, his early exit from Euro 2024 with Ukraine added to the disappointment.
Arsenal’s pursuit of a new left-sided defender, particularly Bologna‘s Riccardo Calafiori, has further intensified the speculation surrounding Zinchenko’s future. Arsenal have agreed a deal to sign Calafiori and the player has agreed a five-year deal with the Gunners.
Should Arsenal successfully sign Calafiori, it would create a logjam at the left-back position, with both he and Jurrien Timber vying for the starting spot. This would cast doubts on the futures of Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan.
Zinchenko’s decision to switch agents has added another layer of intrigue to the situation. While there appears to be limited interest in him from other clubs at the moment, a change in representation could attract potential suitors, especially as his agency doesn’t have to worry about working for other clients as Zinchenko is their only one.
Last month, rumours linked Zinchenko with a move to Bayern Munich, now managed by his former Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany. However, these rumours were quickly dismissed.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, Zinchenko is expected to join Arsenal’s pre-season tour of the USA, which kicks off next week against Bournemouth in Los Angeles. This will provide him with an opportunity to impress Mikel Arteta and potentially secure his place in the squad for the upcoming season.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining Zinchenko’s fate at Arsenal. The outcome of the Calafiori transfer saga, coupled with Zinchenko’s performances during the pre-season tour, will likely play a significant role in shaping his future at the Emirates.
When you consider what a coup it was for Arsenal to sign Zinchenko from City in the first place, it speaks volumes as to how far the club has come that, should he be sold, few would be angry.