Transfer prospects of Ukrainian defender Zinchenko to Turkish club remain uncertain due to his political stance
The potential transfer of Ukrainian footballer Oleksandr Zinchenko from London’s Arsenal to Istanbul’s Fenerbahçe has hit a stumbling block, primarily because of his political views.
Turkish media report that negotiations for his move to the Turkish club were actively underway, and the Ukrainian player had reportedly given a preliminary consent.
However, the deal fell apart in the final stages.
The main reason for this so-called failure is Zinchenko’s public support for Israel in its conflict with Palestine, a stance that has been widely condemned in Turkey.
Recently, the Ukrainian player posted on social media expressing his support for the Israeli people, a move perceived as provocative by Turkish authorities.
As a result, the football community in Turkey received signals that players with such political positions might not be welcomed in the Turkish league.
It is also worth noting that during the past season, 28-year-old Zinchenko was mainly a substitute for Arsenal under manager Mikel Arteta.
He appeared in 23 matches, scored one goal, and made one assist, mostly coming off the bench in key matches.
Zinchenko joined Arsenal in 2022 from Manchester City and has been trying to establish himself as a regular starter.
Recently, he was not included in the matchday squad for an upcoming Premier League game, which further complicates his potential transfer.
Despite rumors, Arsenal is currently unwilling to sell the Ukrainian defender due to his high salary, adding another obstacle to a possible transfer.