Arsenal braced for Vincent Kompany transfer raid as Bayern 'eye' Mikel Arteta favourite

Bayern Munich are reportedly keeping tabs on Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, who could be the first signing for their new manager, Vincent Kompany. The former Burnley boss was introduced to the media last Thursday after a chaotic three-month search for a manager.

Despite this, Bayern have managed to identify transfer targets, including 27-year-old Zinchenko, who slipped out of Mikel Arteta’s first team at the end of the campaign in favour of Jakub Kiwior.

The return from injury of Jurrien Timber will further intensify competition in both full-back positions, something Bayern currently lack. With Alphonso Davies rumoured to be heading to Real Madrid, the Daily Mirror claim that the German giants are closely monitoring Zinchenko’s situation.

Zinchenko, who joined Arsenal for £35million in 2022 and initially impressed, seemed destined to become a regular fixture at the Emirates. However, a change in strategy by Arteta and ongoing calf problems have limited his playing time.

Having played alongside Kompany for three years at Manchester City, primarily as a left-back despite being signed from Russian side Ufa as an attacking midfielder, Zinchenko’s skills could align well with Kompany’s possession-based approach.

Bayern’s search for a new left-back has seen them eyeing up not just Arsenal’s Zinchenko but also AC Milan’s Theo Hernandez. The French defender, younger than Zinchenko by a year, boasts an impressive record with 29 goals and 35 assists in 214 appearances.

Hernandez, a stalwart in the French national team, could cost as much as £68m, which is expected to be more than what Bayern would have to fork out for Zinchenko.

Zinchenko has admitted to a personal slump in form during the 2023-24 season in a social media post at the season’s end. “Proud of the team and happy to be one of you Gunners,” he expressed, despite Arsenal narrowly missing out on the Premier League crown on the last day.

“The club’s season is over now and unfortunately we didn’t get what we wanted but I am sure this club is on the right way to achieve everything. Personally I completely understand that it wasn’t my best season so far and I promise first of all to all fans and doubters that I’ll be back much stronger. Thank you so much for your massive support and see you very soon.”