Arsenal in tense transfer talks with Nottingham Forest as permanent exit put on hold

Ajax want to sign Oleksandr Zinchenko from Arsenal but the Gunners are still yet to agree the termination of the player's loan with Nottingham Forest, which is causing an issue

Arsenal are locked in tense talks with Nottingham Forest over the potential termination of Oleksandr Zinchenko's loan - which is yet to have been agreed despite reports to the contrary.

The Ukrainian is patiently waiting to seal a transfer to Ajax and is even believed to have travelled to Amsterdam for medical tests earlier in the window.

However, those tests were pulled because Ajax and Arsenal decided they were both willing to negotiate the possibility of a permanent transfer instead of a loan as Zinchenko is out of contract in north London this summer.

But the versatile left-back, who can also play in midfield, has been made to wait because Arsenal and Forest are still yet to successfully cancel the player's loan.

The issue has been complicated by the fact there was no break clause negotiated within the initial loan agreement that was thrashed out in the final hours of the summer window.

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Forest just want to cut their losses but Zinchenko is technically under contract at the City Ground until the end of the season and there was also a commitment to pay an undisclosed portion of his wages.

It's a similar situation to Harvey Elliott at Aston Villa, who do not necessarily want to keep the U21 European Championships winner but they've been unable to terminate his loan with Liverpool as they're not willing to pay a financial penalty.

Sean Dyche's side had been hopeful that Ajax's interest, as a third party, could unlock the situation but so far, that has not materialised and both teams have continued to stand firm during private talks.

Ajax are waiting to push through a deal and they're prepared to sign Zinchenko on a short-team contract until the end of the season. They would then reassess the situation in the summer when they'll know if they've secured Champions League qualification.

The Dutch giants seemingly favour paying Arsenal a small fee that would go towards funding the final months of the 29-year-old's contract but until there's been a breakthrough with Forest, the move is on hold.

Meanwhile, Forest like Napoli's Mathias Olivera as a possible replacement for Zinchenko and are hopeful Crystal Palace will crack in talks over Jean-Philippe Mateta now the Eagles have verbally agreed the signing of Jorgen Strand Larsen from Wolves.

Forest have tabled a £35m offer for Mateta ahead of this weekend's game against Palace and the Frenchman wants out of Selhurst Park having also attracted interest from Juventus, Aston Villa and AC Milan this month.