Arsenal complete sale of defender for €1.5m

Arsenal have completed the sale of defender Oleksandr Zinchenko to Ajax for a small fee of around €1.5 million.

The Ukraine international spent the first half of the season on loan with Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

He barely made an impact at the club amid the frequent change of managers and has now decided to move to Ajax.

His loan deal was cut short earlier this month, and Arsenal have now successfully negotiated his departure.

Zinchenko's contract was due to expire in the summer, but he has been permitted to leave early for just €1.5m.

The left-back was handed a pay off to accept a salary reduction too.

The fee could increase if Ajax qualify for the Champions League.

Arsenal could still be active on transfer deadline day with reports suggesting that a new midfielder could be signed by the club.

Mikel Merino is out for several weeks with a serious foot injury, and the Gunners need to fill the void with some short term cover.