Nottingham Forest and Arsenal have reportedly finalised an agreement over a season-long deadline-day loan deal for 28-year-old Ukrainian international.

According to an update by David Ornstein on The Athletic, Oleksandr Zinchenko is the subject of interest from Nottingham Forest. The Tricky Trees have been keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a left-back in the final hours of the summer transfer window. So, the 28-year-old Arsenal utility man has emerged as a late target for the Midlands outfit.

Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have finalised an agreement over a season-long loan deal, with the latter submitting a deal sheet before the 7 pm deadline. However, the Premier League high-flyers face a race against time to complete the move. The late charge has come after Nottingham Forest failed to sign Javi Galan from Atletico Madrid.

Oleksandr Zinchenko and his rollercoaster ride at Arsenal

Oleksandr Zinchenko has endured a topsy-turvy ride since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in a deal worth £30 million plus £2 million in add-ons in July 2022. While the 28-year-old has been a utility man for the North London outfit due to his ability to reprise defensive and midfield roles, he has been a bit-part player for the North London club in the last two seasons.

The Ukrainian international managed only 789 minutes of game time across 23 appearances in all competitions while chipping in with one goal and one assist, and he has yet to feature for Arsenal this term. However, Zinchenko’s stock in the market remains high, with several well-known clubs setting their sights on him. Nottingham Forest will aim to seal a late deal for the former Manchester City utility man.

Move across the Premier League on the cards?

Nottingham Forest’s interest in Oleksandr Zinchenko is understandable. The Tricky Trees have been scouring the market for a left-back in the final hours of the summer transfer window, as they want an alternative to Neco Williams on the left flank. So, the high-flying Premier League club attempted to sign Javi Galan from Atletico Madrid on deadline day before the deal failed to materialise.

Zinchenko has thus emerged as a viable alternative, with the Arsenal utility man searching for his next destination after Marseille signed Emerson Palmieri instead of furthering the interest in him. Arsenal and Nottingham Forest have an agreement over a season-long loan deal, with the latter submitting the deal sheet before the 7 pm deadline.

With Nottingham Forest facing a race against time to seal the deal for Zinchenko, it will be interesting to see if the 28-year-old Ukrainian international moves to City Ground. The Arsenal utility man’s vast experience may help Nottingham Forest in European football if the deal materialises.