Arsenal: Oleksandr Zinchenko set for Ajax move after Nottingham Forest nightmare

Arsenal left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to join Ajax until the end of the season.

The Ukrainian spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Nottingham Forest, playing just five Premier League matches.

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Zinchenko has been told he is not part of manager Sean Dyche’s plans, but there is no break clause in the loan deal with Arsenal, so Forest are in no position to terminate it.

With Arsenal’s squad at full strength and the club having no plans to bring Zinchenko back mid-season, the onus is on Forest to find an alternative arrangement for the 29-year-old.

Ajax appears ready to provide this solution after expressing interest. The talks have progressed quickly and Zinchenko is close to joining the Dutch camp.

Ajax will cover Zinchenko’s salary at Arsenal and a medical is expected to take place at the start of the week.

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Speaking last week, Forest boss Dyche did confirm that Zinchenko was free to leave the club this month.

“We have spoken to the player, made his situation clear to him, he is aware of it so we will see what happens,” Dyche said.

“We’ll see what happens, we’re open with him, he’s a thorough professional. He has been and I’m sure he’ll move forward.”

Zinchenko has previously played in the Eredivisie, playing for PSV Eindhoven in the 2016-17 season on loan from Manchester City.

The versatile full-back will be out of contract at Arsenal this summer and no new deal is expected to be signed. Reports in the Netherlands suggest that Ajax are already considering signing him as a free agent at the end of the loan spell.