Over the years, manager Jose Mourinho has often thwarted Arsenal’s ambitions to win the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho won three Premier League titles with Chelsea, a manager who often got the better of Arsenal, even when he was managing Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.
However, when it comes to this summer, Mourinho might just be about to do sporting director Andrea Berta a big favour.
Before the end of the August, Arsenal would like to sign Rodrygo from Real Madrid if possible, and if not, they may turn to Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze.
But in order to do so, Arsenal first want to shift several players on the periphery of Mikel Arteta’s squad – Berta wants to raise funds and also avoid a bloated set-up.
That being said, Arsenal would like to sell Oleksandr Zinchenko, even if the former Manchester City defender is considering staying for the final year of his contract.
But according to Turkish journalist Elise Buse Arac who shared her update on X, Mourinho has made an ‘official offer’ to bring Oleksandr Zinchenko to Fenerbahce.
Mourinho has now been in charge of Fenerbahce for 57 games and he’s about to embark on his second season in Turkey.
And if the former Spurs manager is successful in buying Zinchenko, who Arsenal recruited for £30m in 2023, he actually wants to change the ‘unbelivable‘ left-back’s position.
Zinchenko has also played as a number 10 for Man City and Shakhtar Donetsk in the past, but Mourinho now envisions him as a number six.
Arac explained: “Fenerbahce has made an official offer to Arsenal for Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Jose Mourinho wants to use Zinchenko in the number 6 position. The Ukrainian international player can also play in central midfield, left wing, left wing-back, and left-back positions.”
In total, Zinchenko has now amassed 91 appearances for Arsenal, scoring three goals and providing five assists.
And speaking back in May 2024, former Crystal Palace chairman Simon Jordan pointed out why he thought signing Zinchenko, and Gabriel Jesus for that matter, was a mistake.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Jordan said: “I just think you don’t buy players from another side that you are trying to beat who don’t think they are not good enough for their side.”
Of course, Jordan is referencing Arteta buying from his old club City, who were ultimately happy to let Zinchenko and Jesus leave.
In fairness to Arteta, both played a vital role in Arsenal’s return to the top level – the pair added quality and crucial experience.
And although this current project has now somewhat outgrown the duo, it seems too convenient to simply label the signings as a mistake.
Zinchenko’s future is now an issue for Arsenal to solve, but he’s still been an important contributor over the years.
