Oleksandr Zinchenko set to cut Nottingham Forest loan short and immediately join another club

Oleksandr Zinchenko’s disappointing loan spell with Nottingham Forest is set to end and he will immediately join Ajax, talkSPORT understands.

The Dutch giants have agreed a deal with the Ukranian’s parent club Arsenal as he seeks to get his career back on track.

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The 29-year-old had found himself on the fringes at the Emirates Stadium in the summer.

He had slowly been slipping down the pecking order with Riccardo Calafiori, Piero Hincapie, and Myles Lewis-Skelly all able to operate at left-back.

Meanwhile, several midfielders and wingers were also signed, including Martin Zubimendi and Eberechi Eze, meaning his versatility was less vital for manager Mikel Arteta.

A season-long switch to Nottingham Forest was sealed on transfer deadline day back at the start of September.

However, poor form and three managers this season have seen Zinchenko’s playing time diminished.

He has made five league appearances and five cup appearances, domestically and in Europe but been unable to claim a starting role.

The 29-year-old has been replaced in Forest’s Europa League squad by Ola Aina for the second half of the season.

Zinchenko’s contract at Arsenal expires in the summer.

It’s believed Ajax could offer him longer terms should he impress in Amsterdam.

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The Dutch giants haven’t had the best of campaigns and currently sit third, 18 points behind leaders PSV Eindhoven.

Ajax have also struggled in the Champions League, winning just one match and losing their five other games.

This poor form saw them axe head coach John Heitinga in November, although he now has a new role alongside the under-fire Thomas Frank at Tottenham.

Fred Grim is now in interim charge of the Eredivisie club and has already seen Zinchenko’s former teammate Takehiro Tomiyasu join the club.

It was hoped the Japan international would bolster their defensive ranks, however they have conceded at least two goals in each of their last five games.

It’s believed Zinchenko’s ability to play in central midfield as well as at left-back has strengthened Ajax’s interest.

Meanwhile, the player himself will be keen for regular football as he looks to guide Ukraine to the World Cup.

His nation face a play-off with Sweden in March and if they come through that they will play the winner of Poland vs Albania.