Mikel Arteta is looking to raid his old club and bring Oleksandr Zinchenko to Arsenal this summer.
The versatile Manchester City star was signed in 2016 and has continued to prove his worth during his club's domestic dominance. He played a staring role on the final day, but his previous coach now wants to bring him to north London.
Not only that, but Arteta sees the Ukrainian as a midfield option. Zinchenko was signed as a midfielder, where he continues to play for his national side, but has been used by Pep Guardiola as a left-back. The Arsenal boss is hoping the attraction of playing in his preferred position may tempt Zinchenko to quit the Etihad.
Arsenal's first-choice left-back is Kieran Tierney, and while he is currently sidelined, the club would rather not spend big money on a player who is going to be the Scotsman's understudy.
The Daily Mail reports that their interest in the versatile City man goes alongside their want to add Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian has been at the club since Guardiola joined and has continued to play his part, but may find his minutes limited going forward.
Erling Haaland is City's marquee signing this summer while highly-rated Argentine Julian Alvarez will also be heading to the Etihad. Jesus has 12 months left on his contract so the champions will be willing to cash in.
The Gunners are also seeking more firepower in attack as they face up to exits in the striker department. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was allowed to quit the club in January while Alexandre Lacazette is poised to leave when his contract expires.
Arteta has said on the club's summer plans: "We are going to have certain resources, not unlimited resources, some resources and with our resources we have to play and do what we have to do in the best possible way. We don't know what the rest are going to have in terms of resources, which I'm assuming is going to be challenging because now it's not a top-three or top-four league. Now it is a top eight or 10 teams that are involved.
"That's why we have to find a way to do again what we did last summer. Everything that we did do, was trying to reach the objectives that we had after January – which was to try to be challenging the top four, and the way we were going to do it."
