Al-Hilal hand Arsenal boost as Milan eye Zinchenko to replace Theo Hernandez

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 22: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between Arsenal FC and GNK Dinamo at on January 22, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Milan are reportedly accelerating their interest in signing Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko after Theo Hernandez looks set to join Al-Hilal in a €25 million switch.

Hernandez heads for Milan exit

Hernandez’s future has been in doubt this summer and developments in the last 24 hours have opened the door for the Frenchman’s exit.

MILAN, ITALY - APRIL 02: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan reacts during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) — MILAN, ITALY – APRIL 02: Theo Hernandez of AC Milan reacts during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between AC Milan and FC Internazionale at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 02, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

According to reports from TuttomercatowebMilan will now turn their attention to finding a replacement for the former Real Madrid left-back as he looks set to leave a big void in the Rossoneri squad – with Zinchenko named as a primary candidate.

Arsenal Defender Zinchenko on Milan Radar

Zinchenko’s contract with Arsenal is set to expire in 2026 and, with just a year left on his deal, the Premier League side are open to parting ways with the Ukrainian.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 12: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal applauds the fans of PSV Eindhoven after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and PSV at Arsenal Stadium on March 12, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 12: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Arsenal applauds the fans of PSV Eindhoven after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and PSV at Arsenal Stadium on March 12, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Zinchenko has struggled for minutes under Mikel Arteta after the club signed Ricardo Calafiori from Bologna last summer and youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly broke into the first team.

The Gunners are hoping for an impactful summer themselves and offloading players like the Ukranian will allow the London club to pursue reinforcements in the market.