Jose Mourinho has sanctioned a Fenerbahce transfer bid for Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arsenal have dropped their asking price for the defender.
Mourinho was keen to strengthen his Fenerbahce squad this summer after his side finished second in the Super Lig last season, 11 points behind Turkish champions Galatasaray.
The former Chelsea, Real Madrid, Manchester United and Tottenham manager has overseen a productive transfer window, bringing the likes of Jhon Duran, Sofyan Amrabat and Milan Skriniar to the club.
But Mourinho is eyeing up further deals before the summer transfer window shuts and has sanctioned Fenerbahce’s move for versatile Gunners star Zinchenko.
Turkish journalist Sercan Hamzaoglu says Fenerbahce have submitted an official offer for Zinchenko and claims negotiations are ‘advancing quickly’.
The amount of the bid has not been disclosed but Hamzaoglu also says Arsenal are asking for around £13m for a player who has entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Emirates Stadium.
That represents a lower fee that Arsenal were said to be demanding earlier in the summer when AC Milan expressed interest in four-time Premier League winner Zinchenko.
Fenerbahce sporting director Devin Ozek reportedly held talks with both Zinchenko and Arsenal counterpart Andrea Berta over the weekend to work on a deal.
Arsenal paid £30m to sign Zinchenko from Manchester City in 2022 and the Ukrainian was an integral member of Mikel Arteta’s squad during his first two seasons in north London, playing as a left-back who would often move into midfield to dictate play.
But Zinchenko struggled for game-time last season and Arsenal decided earlier in the summer to put him up for sale.
AC Milan were believed to be leading the race to sign Zinchenko but talks over a £17m deal with the Italian giants collapsed.
Arsenal’s London rivals Fulham have also expressed interest in a deal but Fenerbahce have jumped to the front of the queue after making a bid to the Gunners.
As well as spending around £200m on new signings this summer, Arsenal have been busy offloading unwanted players and released Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney.
The Premier League runners-up will consider selling Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli and Jakub Kiwior should suitable offers arrive.
In terms of further incomings, Arteta is keen to sign England winger Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace, who have given Arsenal hope of a deal.
Arteta’s side begin their 2025-26 Premier League campaign on Sunday with a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
This fixture last season ended 1-1 after Declan Rice’s 74th-minute equaliser cancelled out Bruno Fernandes’ first-half opener.
