Oleksandr Zinchenko completed a deadline-day loan move from Arsenal to Nottingham Forest.
Although the Ukrainian international had wanted to leave the Emirates after falling down the pecking order under Mikel Arteta, his high wages had deterred other clubs from making a move. It looked likely that he would remain in North London, see out his current contract, and leave on a free transfer at the end of the season.
However, an opportunity arose at the last minute when Forest’s attempt to sign Javi Galán from Atlético Madrid fell through. The East Midlands club quickly pivoted to Zinchenko, giving him the chance to reunite with a familiar face: former Arsenal sporting director Edu, who now holds a senior position at Forest.
Zinchenko’s departure was announced alongside the signing of Piero Hincapié from Bayer Leverkusen. Hincapié has joined Arsenal on a season-long loan, with an option—but not an obligation—to buy. The Ecuadorean international is expected to join permanently, with the current arrangement serving as an accounting manoeuvre that allows both clubs to record the transaction in next year’s financial accounts.
