Arsenal continue to chase Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk during the opening few days of the January transfer window.
The talented 22-year-old has made no secret of his admiration for the Gunners, although Shakhtar’s steep valuation of the player could make any deal difficult to pull off this month – especially when you consider that London rivals Chelsea are also keen on the Ukrainian international. Mikel Arteta’s side will be hoping that they can get a deal over the line as soon as possible, with a North London Derby against local rivals Tottenham Hotspur looming before they host Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium shortly after.
Shakhtar are sticking to their £85million asking price of Mudryk with Chelsea said to be willing to outbid any rival offer whilst Arsenal appear to be refusing to be drawn into any bidding war. So, with that in mind, football.london has taken a look at all the latest news linking the tricky wideman with a move away from the Ukrainian giants.
Arsenal confidence
Arsenal are confident of securing a deal for Mudryk in the coming weeks, according to Fabrizio Romano in his Caught Offside column. The transfer reporter claimed: “Of course Arsenal are confident, and Arteta too, but reaching an agreement with Shakhtar is crucial, they were so strong in negotiations also in August when they turned down €30million from Everton when it sounded like a great bid.
“No deadlines have been mentioned in the negotiations, as of now; talks continue.”
Arteta hint
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has dropped a potential hint that his side will beat rivals Chelsea to landing a move for Mudryk in the January window. When asked about difficulties landing players this market, he told reporters: ““I don’t know. Obviously, valuation have to be made between the selling club and the buying club.
“It is difficult but as well, it shows a lot of clubs with a lot of financial power to spend big amounts and we have to compete with them. We have to be smart, we have to see for good opportunities as well. We have to be attractive for players.”
Before adding: “At the end players decide where they want to play, and if they want to play for our club, this is great.”
It could be a huge indicator towards the 22-year-old moving to north London, having clearly hinted at wanting a move to the club on social media.
Mudryk’s preference
Transfer expert Graeme Bailey has now reported that a move to the Emirates remains Mudryk’s preference despite interest from Chelsea in recent times. Speaking on the Talking Transfers Podcast, Bailey said: “He wants to go to Arsenal, he’s made that clear over the past 24 hours as well from our understanding.
“Arsenal are not too amused by Chelsea coming in. You can’t stop them from talking to Darijo Srna, but there is a belief in the Arsenal camp that it will get done.
“I think Shakhtar will come back down, there is a belief that agreement will come and Mudryk will get his wish of joining the title-challengers Arsenal.”
Mudryk agent breaks silence on transfer
The agent of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, Alexey Alekhin, has spoken out about his client’s future amid links to both Arsenal and Chelsea. The 22-year-old has made it no secret of his admiration for Mikel Arteta’s side, consistently admitting that he is a huge fan of the Gunners.
However, Alekhin has played down any chatter of him leaving Shakhtar, making it clear that the Ukrainian club holds all cards at this moment in time. Speaking to Sport Arena, he said: “Mudryk is a Shakhtar player and the decision on his transfer will be made by the board of the club.
“Mykhaylo is now preparing to go with Shakhtar to the training camp.”
Man Utd influence
The Ukrainian outfit have publicly demanded £85million for their star player, a similar fee to what Manchester United paid for Antony in the summer. Shakhtar Donetsk vice director Carlo Nicolini told Italian news outlet Calciomercato: “€60million (£53million) it’s not enough to sign Mudryk.
“Our director said that we need a bid closer to the Jack Grealish fee (£100million) than Antony (£86million) to sell Mudryk. We’re not even considering a bid with €40million (£35million) as fixed fee.”
Shakhtar chiefs on more than one occasion have said Mudryk is a better player than Antony and value him at the same amount as the Brazilian, with the 22-year-old being compared to Paris Saint-Germain superstars Kylian Mbappe and Neymar. Nicolini told Calcio Napoli 24: “We’re not in a hurry to sell Mudryk, we don’t need money.
“We consider Mykhaylo stronger than Antony so you can now understand the value – the price tag is clear.”
Mudryk has played fewer than 50 matches for the Shakhtar first team, meaning he is an unproven quantity but his performances in the Champions League have resulted in Premier League interest. United had to pay a larger fee than they initially wanted to in order to convince Ajax to sell Antony in the summer, now the Gunners may have to do the same to get Mudryk and aid their Premier League title charge.
Mudryk ‘makes Chelsea U-turn’
The Shakhtar forward has hardly hidden his desire to leave the Ukrainian outfit and openly admitted he would be ‘sad’ if he couldn’t force through an exit this month, according to The Mirror. The Ukraine international has scored 10 goals and provided a further eight assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Shakhtar this season as a move to the Premier League continues to be negotiated.
Chelsea are rumoured to be willing to outbid any rival offer and meet Shakhtar’s astronomical £85million asking price. Arsenal are refusing to be drawn into a bidding war and are not phased by the Blues’ approach for Mudryk as they look to rely on the player’s desire to play for Mikel Arteta as a key bargaining chip.
The Ukrainian international was regularly liking posts on Instagram mentioning his proposed Arsenal switch and even uploaded footage of him watching Arteta’s side to his story. New reports have suggested that the 22-year-old may have had his head slightly turned by Chelsea’s interest, despite the Gunners sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal have done plenty of groundwork in securing a deal for Mudryk and remain confident that a transfer will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Chelsea’s interest means the transfer saga could rumble on right until the very end of the window later this month.
Chelsea have Shakhtar meeting
According to The Sun, Chelsea are set to make a last ditch attempt to sign the Ukraine international ahead of their London rivals with Shakhtar Donetsk chief Darijo Srna set to travel to the English capital this week. The Ukrainian club have publicly demanded a fee close to £85million, with the Gunners’ latest offer of £62million falling well below their asking price.
The report claims that Arsenal have already agreed personal terms over a five-year deal, worth around £120,000-per-week, with the player himself having dropped huge hints that he wants to move to the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea could beat their rivals to a deal should they agree to meet the asking price with a bid in the region of £60million, with another £20million included in add-ons.
Edu identifies Mudryk alternative
The Gunners have made signing Mudryk a priority in the January transfer window but should negotiations break down with the Ukrainian outfit, Edu will need to have a back-up plan in place to ensure Arteta has a squad capable of continuing their title challenge. According to Estadio Deportivo, Arsenal may look to pursue a deal for Barcelona star Ferran Torres should they fail to secure a deal for Mudryk.
Torres has failed to establish himself as a first team regular at the Camp Nou since arriving from City a year ago. Given Barca’s financial difficulties, they are said to be open to selling the Spanish forward.Read on here.
Mudryk ‘expects’ Arsenal transfer
The north London outfit were in Dubai during the World Cup as Arteta led a warm-weather training camp for those players not involved in the tournament in Qatar. Mudryk had been spotted in Dubai at the same time, intensifying speculation that he could be seal a move to north London in January.
The Shakhtar Donetsk wide man was pictured on the beach in the Gulf State as Arsenal took part in the Dubai Cup and a report from the Daily Mail has suggested that Mudryk had told friends during the trip that he ‘expects’ to move to the Gunners this month. The 21-year-old has already dropped huge hints of a desire to move to Arsenal, including when he posted images of himself watching the Premier League leaders beat West Ham and Brighton.
Read on here.
Improved offer value
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal’s second bid for Mudryk is worth up to £62million, adding an extra £7million to the opening offer. The structure of the deal is still currently unknown as Fabrizio Romano claims that a “crucial stage” is upon the Gunners in transfer talks.
Long-term contract ‘agreed’
Ukrainian outlet Sport Arena reports that a fee is still yet to be agreed with Shakhtar, but a five-year contract has been finalised with the winger and the Gunners are set to return with an improved offer. Edu has been urged to secure a deal for Mudryk as quickly as possible by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher who believes the 21-year-old would be a ‘really exciting’ signing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged Arsenal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk. The former Reds defender said: “Eddie Nketiah has started this second half of the season really well, hasn’t he? I thought losing Gabriel Jesus was going to be a huge blow as I think he’s been outstanding, without scoring the goals.
“It’s probably a little bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool, who’s playing really well but could do with a few more goals. Nketiah’s form and him getting those goals may just ease Arsenal off in the transfer window.”
“They’re after Mykhaylo Mudryk, when I’ve seen him play in the Champions League, he’s been left wing and Gabriel Martinelli is there right now, he’s been outstanding. Maybe one of them will go through the middle?
“If they want to compete with Manchester City – and they are doing that right now but I’m talking about in all competitions and for the next few years like Liverpool have done – you need options from the bench. Mikel Arteta knows that better than anyone from his time at Manchester City and I think Mudryk would be a really exciting signing from what we’ve seen in the Champions League.”
Ballon d’Or prediction
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has insisted he believes Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future.
Mudryk worked under De Zerbi during his time at Shakhtar and discussed the forward ahead of this weekend’s clash with Arsenal.
He said: “Mudryk is a fantastic player, I think he can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. I like him as my ex-player but now I’m Brighton coach, and Brighton can’t buy Mudryk.”
Chelsea hijack
London rivals Chelsea are reportedly interested in hijacking Arsenal’s attempts to sign Mudryk. According to The Guardian, Todd Boehly is keen on pursuing the winger after registering an interest in the forward.
It’s understood that the Blues could pose a serious threat to the Gunners’ bid.
CEO claim
Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has revealed that fresh talks are now live between his club and Arsenal over a transfer for winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. Palkin told club media: “Now, literally in five minutes, I will have a phone conversation with Arsenal. We are open to negotiations, ready to exchange ideas and figures. If we will agree, then let it be so.”
Manchester United ‘block’ deal
According to Sky Sports, Shakhtar Donetsk are using Manchester United’s Antony as a benchmark for their negotiations, believing that Mykhaylo Mudryk is better than the Brazilian. Therefore, they want a transfer fee that is representative of such value, with the winger moving to Old Trafford for £86million in the summer.
Shakhtar make £100m demand
Shakhtar Donetsk vice director Carlo Nicolini has explained why Arsenal’s £55million bid including add-ons for Mykhaylo Mudryk was rejected. Nicolini told Italian news outlet Calciomercato: “€60million (£53million) it’s not enough to sign Mudryk.”
Cody Gakpo was previously linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but now is on the verge of completing a £37million transfer to Liverpool. Mudryk is considered to be valued at over double that price, but the Gunners are not giving up on signing the 21-year-old just yet with talks continuing.
Nicolini added: “Our director said that we need a bid closer to the Jack Grealish fee (£100million) than Antony (£86million) to sell Mudryk. We’re not even considering a bid with €40million (£35million) as fixed fee.”
Read on here.
Watching on TV
Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk has made his stance very clear on a possible move after posting a video on Instagram of him watching Mikel Arteta’s side play on TV.
In an video posted on his Instagram story, Mudryk is watching Arsenal play West Ham in the first Premier League match back at the Emirates Stadium. The game is on his iPad and was filmed in time to see Eddie Nketiah’s goal to make it 3-1 with the recording taken just before the striker slotted past Lukas Fabianski.
Official bid made
Arsenal have made an official bid for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, football.london understands. The winger has been linked with a move to the Gunners in January, having missed out on a deal to sign him late in the summer transfer window.
A report from journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that a bid worth €40million (£35.2million) plus €20million (£17.6million) add-ons (£53million in total) are the figures currently tabled.
Fresh Shakhtar claim
The latest news surrounding Mudryk has seen Shakhtar Vice Director Carlo Nicolini officially name Arsenal as an interested party and give their star player a significant ultimatum.
Speaking to CalcioMercato, he said: “Mudryk has received the message, like other players, to show up for Antalya training camp on January 9. There is interest from Arsenal for him, but we’ve not received official bids.”
Shakhtar Donetsk chief gives huge update
Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin has revealed he is unsure whether Mudryk will leave the club in the January transfer window.
Speaking to The Athletic, he said: “To be honest, I do not know. At the moment, we are quite far from what we want and what clubs propose.
“It’s not so far but it is not what we need. We have discussions. One club, another club, they negotiate. We are in the process. Will it close this month? I don’t know. It is maybe 50-50 with regards to the winter transfer window. I don’t want to talk about figures now. We are in discussions. We have interest from some English clubs and we are in the process.”
Spotted in Dubai
Arsenal transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk has been spotted in Dubai, intensifying speculation that he could be set for a move to north London in January.
The Shakhtar Donetsk wide man was pictured on the beach in the Gulf State at the same time Arsenal were also in the country as part of a mid-season training camp.
There have been no official reports of a meeting between the player’s representatives and the Gunners, but with plenty of reports linking the Ukrainian forward to Arsenal, it may be more than a coincidence.
‘Priority target’
Mudryk is Arsenal’s ‘priority target’ ahead of the January transfer window opening in just over three weeks.
According to The Athletic, sources close to the player believe there is a good chance a deal will happen, though nothing is agreed at present. The report states that Shakhtar could be willing to let Mudryk go for a fee lower than the €100million (£85.9m) they are asking for.
It’s also said the young attacker is keen on a move to Emirates Stadium, while the Kroenke family are keen to back Edu and Mikel Arteta to support a Premier League title charge.
Shakhtar Director and Mudryk agent comment
Shakhtar’s Director of Football Dario Srna has recently commented on a potential transfer which would see Mudryk leave the Ukrainian club, suggesting that it is not Shakhtar who are determining the price of Mudryk, but instead the current football transfer market.
“The market is deciding the price, not me. Antony, (Jack) Grealish,” he told The Athletic. They are players of more than €100million (£88.7million) and for me, Mudryk does not have less quality than them. This is the last two transfers in the past year, in more or less the same positions.
Mudryk’s agent has also added more speculation to the transfer admitting that while Mudryk will respect Shakhtar and continue to perform at the highest level, it’s clear to see he has outgrown the Ukrainian division.
“Mykhaylo has a contract with Shakhtar, he works hard in training and gives his all in games,” said Oleksiy Alyokhin, the agent of Mudryk. “Mykhaylo has a long-term contract with the club and I think that he made a big contribution to the team’s successful performance both in the championship and in the Champions League.
“He is a young and very ambitious guy. It can be seen with the naked eye that he outgrew the championship of Ukraine a long time ago and is ready to perform at a more serious level. He needs to progress.”
Transfer hint dropped in interview
In an interview with Vlada Zinchenko, wife of Gunners star Oleksandr Zinchenko, on YouTube, Mudryk opened up on his admiration for Arsenal’s style of play and how he keeps up to date with their results. When asked which teams he thinks are playing nice football this season, the 21-year-old responded: “Napoli, they’re playing really well at the moment with some great players, Bayern, Man City and Arsenal.”
He followed up by admitting that he checks the Gunners results regularly, saying: “Yeah. I check on them in ‘myscore’ and know when they’re playing I can check on them.
“I also watch them too. (Arsenal are) a very dynamic side, in general not just in controlling possession but also in scoring goals.”
‘Positive’ talks
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has suggested that Mudryk will cost in excess of £60million.
“We know they [Arsenal] wanted a winger. Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible to proceed,” Romano said on his YouTube channel via the Daily Mail. “They have had very positive contacts on Mudryk on the player’s side, but then they decided not to proceed with Shakhtar because they wanted more than £40-£45million.
“Now Shakhtar want more than £60million-£65million. But Arsenal are still following the player. They consider Mudryk a top talent, and so Arsenal are still there but let’s see because now the race is open with many top clubs, but Arsenal will be busy in the next few weeks.”
Find out more via this link.
Shakhtar joke
Mudryk’s proposed transfer to Arsenal has become a long-running joke in the Shakhtar Donetsk changing room, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin has revealed.
Trubin has insisted the rumours of Mudryk moving to north London have had a positive impact on the forward, with the Shakhtar squad constantly teasing him about the Gunners. He told Football24, via talkSPORT: “I like that he is focused only on himself, his and the team’s game.
“Fans don’t really see that much. No one sees what he is doing away from the football field. All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way because he enjoys what he does. And, in the team, we can tell him, ‘well, you’re already at Arsenal. Let’s all go!'”
Transfer wish
It appears that the youngster is very open to a move to Arsenal, who need more depth in their wide areas. Speaking to CBS Sports back in September, he said: “I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. It’s hard to say [who his preferred move is], but Arsenal is a very good team, a very good coach. I like the way they play.”
When asked if he would make a move to the Emirates Stadium, he said: “From my side, I can’t say no [to Arsenal]. But the transfer is not only my decision.”
