Arsenal have 'genuine interest' in shock €45m Zinchenko replacement

Tom Weber

Updated: 19 Jan 2026 16:21 GMT
3 min read

Oleksandr Zinchenko, Arsenal, 2025/26 — © IMAGO

Arsenal are keen on Inter superstar Federico Dimarco amid Oleksandr Zinchenko's talks with Ajax, according to Italian media.

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The Ukraine international is set to have his loan to Nottingham Forest cut short and will instead move to the Netherlands. Zinchenko is on his way to Ajax and will no longer be an Arsenal player.

Although his move to Amsterdam is again just a loan, the versatile full-back is out of contract in the summer, so he will not return to North London once his time at Ajax concludes.

Current ETV

Oleksandr Zinchenko

D (L)

N. Forest

Oleksandr Zinchenko

D (L)

N. Forest

ETV Range

€12.2M - €14.9M

Arsenal haven't missed Zinchenko this season. The Gunners have stormed to the summit of the Premier League, thanks to the impressive form of Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Piero Hincapie.

However, if Mikel Arteta's time at Arsenal has shown anything, it is that he simply loves to sign left-backs. It is therefore not out of the question that the Gunners will once again dip into the full-back market in the summer.

Arsenal interested in Dimarco

According to TuttoSport, a surprising name has emerged on Arsenal's radar. The Italian outlet claims that the Premier League giants have a "genuine interest" in Inter superstar Federico Dimarco.

At 28, he is not really the kind of player Arsenal have targeted recently, but his marauding style of play would suit Arteta's new approach of giving his left-back license to get involved in the attack.

He has notched four goals and seven assists so far this season, putting up similar underlying offensive numbers to Calafiori. Dimarco currently has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €45.4 million. His contract situation makes him hugely attractive to suitors.

The Italy international's deal at Inter only runs until 2027, so the Serie A giants are growing increasingly desperate to hand him fresh terms. Should he opt not to extend, he would have to be sold in 2026 or January 2027 to avoid losing him for free.

Inter are planning to hand him fresh terms until 2029 with a significantly enhanced salary, and they are aware that clubs are paying close attention to the situation.

Man Utd, it is claimed, were keen on Dimarco during Ruben Amorim's tenure. Now, Arsenal are at the front of the queue.