Who is Viktor Tsygankov? 4 things to know about Arsenal target

Viktor Tsygankov may not be a name too many Premier League supporters are overly familiar with, but they could well be come the end of the summer transfer window.

Off the back of an impressive season with Girona in Spain, helping the Catalan club qualify for next season's Champions League, Arsenal are among the English giants keeping close tabs on the Ukrainian forward.

Reports from Spain claim a Girona exit in the upcoming transfer window could be a possibility, with the allure of England's top flight perhaps too powerful.

Here are four things you may not have known about Tsygankov.

Humble beginnings

Tsygankov is one of the many exciting talents to have come through the academy at Dynamo Kyiv, with legendary 2004 Ballon d'Or winner Andriy Shevchenko having also emerged from Ukraine's capital. However, it took Tysgankov a little longer to reach Europe's elite.

The 26-year-old spent the first seven years of his senior career at Dynamo Kyiv, accumulating valuable experience in Ukraine's top flight. He accumulated 236 appearances, 158 goal contributions and three major titles during his spell at the Olimpiyskiy National Sports Stadium.

It wasn't until the summer of 2023 that Tsygankov eventually made his long-awaited move to one of Europe's top five leagues, joining up with City Football Group's Girona for approximately £4m.

A debut season to remember

Having taken his time reaching Europe's top five leagues, Tsygankov quickly made up for years lost with an electric debut campaign in Catalonia. Having arrived at the same time as international teammate Artem Dovbyk - who also joined Girona from Ukraine - the winger swiftly adjusted to Spain's top tier.

Tsygankov, who has made over 50 appearances for Ukraine, provided an assist on his debut during a 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad, registering his first goal for the club just four games later as Girona made a stunning unbeaten start to the season.

Despite suffering several short-term injuries, Tsygankov continued to prove instrumental to Girona's top four push, finishing the campaign with eight goals and seven assists in 30 La Liga outings. Only compatriot Dovbyk and loanee Savio provided more goal contributions in the league.

Comparisons to Andriy Shevchenko

Expectations for Tsygnankov have always been high, with the forward having previously been compared to his former national team manager Shevchenko. Speaking about his breakthrough back in 2016, Dynamo Kyiv president Ihor Surkis could see similarities between the pair.

"He's cut from the same cloth as Andriy Shevchenko," claimed Surkis. "It's so rare to see such maturity in a player his age. Players like him love football more than anything - and that shows on the pitch."

Tsygankov is yet to come close to the heights reached by Shevchenko and is significantly different from the legendary striker when it comes to play style. A left-footed winger who generally operates on the right wing, Tsygankov is known for his pace, dribbling ability and willingness to run at opposition defenders.

For suitors Arsenal, he would prove to be an alternative to Bukayo Saka. For fellow interested north London party Tottenham, he would be most similar to Dejan Kulusevski.

An attractive price tag

Price tag is king when it comes to transfers and Tsygankov's suitors will be excited by his reported release clause of just £25.5m. For a player who is about to reach the prime years of his career and now has an impressive year of experience in La Liga, that's potentially a bargain fee.

Dynamo Kyiv reportedly have a 50% sell-on clause in his Girona contract, but the Spanish side will be helpless to block a move should a club meet his manageable release clause.

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