Arsenal want £38m from Newcastle United for star Mikel Arteta 'loves'

Arsenal have 'set an asking price' of €45 million for left-back Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of the summer transfer window with Newcastle United frontrunners to complete a deal for the Ukraine international.

That's according to FootballTransfers, with the outlet reporting the fee, which is equivalent to £38 million. The Magpies are thought to be in the market to strengthen in that position with Dan Burn unconvincing at times when deployed in the full-back role.

Newcastle United will have rival competition from German giants Bayern Munich, who are also reported to be admirers of Zinchenko, who has impressed in the Premier League for Arsenal and Manchester City. The defender could be viewed as a replacement for Alphonso Davies, should the Bayern Munich man join Real Madrid this summer.

The Gunners star won four Premier League titles while at Manchester City, as well as for League Cups and an FA Cup. He has made 124 Premier League appearances and has also played 33 times in the Champions League over an impressive career.

Zinchenko hasn't started a Premier League match for Arsenal since the win over Liverpool in early February and his replacement Jakob Kiwior has impressed in the role. The Ukrainian is absent through injury but it is thought he could struggle to get back in the side having previously been criticised for his defending this season.

The Gunners have only conceded one goal in the four previous Premier League matches with Zinchenko absent as the side has been praised for having the best defence in the league.

Speaking in December, Arteta defended the player from critics. The Arsenal boss said: “I love him how he is. He has strengths and weaknesses, and Alex has got many more strengths. With Alex the win rate is incredibly high. That’s it.”