This is real reason Oleksandr Zinchenko is cutting ties with Pep Guardiola as Man City exit close – pundit
Frank McAvennie claims that Oleksandr Zincheko may be keen to quit Man City because of his “affinity” with Arsenal boss Mike Arteta.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former West Ham striker said he doesn’t understand why else Zinchenko would want to cut ties with Pep Guardiola.
Journalist Fabrizio Romano reported (17 July) that the Gunners have reached an agreement in principle with City to sign the 25-year-old.
The fee is said to be in the region of £30million although personal terms are still to be discussed.
The Ukraine international currently has two years left on his contract at the Etihad.
When asked for his assessment of the latest, McAvennie told Football Insider: “He pretty much got a lot of game time last season but if he’s happy to leave then let him go.
“I think I’d want to be close to [Pep] Guardiola. But he might have an affinity with [Mikel] Arteta, he might have got on well with him.
“Arsenal have to step up. They see West Ham doing well and Tottenham fighting for Champions League places so they have to. He’s giving chances to youngsters but it could backfire on him.
“Talent-wise, Arteta already has a lot of good players in there. He’d be a great asset to them, he’s a really good player. I wouldn’t know why he would leave Man City to go to Arsenal.
“I think he can play anywhere, these kinds of players tend to fit in anywhere. You’re guaranteed two or three trophies at Man City, you’re guaranteed to be fighting for every trophy every season.
“I don’t know why he’d want to go to Arsenal who’ll be fighting for a Champions League place at best. They won’t win it but Man City have a chance of winning.
“There must be something more to it if he wants to leave.“
In other news, an Arsenal idol has shared Ainsley Maitland-Niles verdict after £17m deal completed.