Oleksandr Zinchenko is reportedly on the verge of joining Ajax from Arsenal until the end of the 2025/26 season, with Nottingham Forest cutting short the loan agreement.
According to an update by reputed Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Oleksandr Zinchenko has been the subject of interest from Ajax. The Eredivisie giants have been keen on reinforcing their defensive unit by signing a versatile full-back in the winter transfer window. So, the 29-year-old out-of-favour Arsenal utility man emerged as a target for them.
The latest report has revealed that the Dutch heavyweights have struck an agreement to sign the Radomyshl native on loan from Arsenal until the end of the 2025/26 season. Zinchenko will travel for his medical on Monday before ending his stint with Nottingham Forest and sealing the move to Ajax.
How has Oleksandr Zinchenko fared at Nottingham Forest?
Oleksandr Zinchenko has reached a crossroads in his career after struggling for game time at Arsenal. The 29-year-old plummeted in the pecking order in the 2024/25 season, and the North London club decided to offload him in the summer transfer window. However, while Nottingham Forest signed the former Manchester City utility man, he has struggled for regular game time.
The Ukrainian international has managed only 719 minutes of game time in ten appearances thus far for Nottingham Forest. So, it is hardly surprising that the Tricky Trees have been eager to cut short Zinchenko’s loan spell. However, Forest had to find the player’s next club as the agreement with Arsenal did not have a break clause. That destination has now emerged in the form of Ajax.
What next?
Ajax’s interest in Oleksandr Zinchenko has been understandable. The Eredivisie heavyweights have been scouring the market for a left-back heading into the winter transfer window, as Owen Wijndal is the only recognised left-back in Fred Grim’s squad.
With Ajax competing in multiple competitions ahead of a packed second half of the 2025/26 season, they have been eager to sign a left-back this month. Zinchenko thus emerged as a viable target for the Dutch giants, and they have struck an agreement to sign the out-of-favour Arsenal utility man on loan until the end of the 2025/26 season.
Zinchenko will travel for his medical on Monday before ending his stint with Nottingham Forest and sealing the loan move to Ajax. Meanwhile, Arsenal will hope the 29-year-old Ukrainian international has a solid spell with the Eredivisie club so they can sell him in the summer transfer window.
