Arsenal: Arteta and Edu told to 'be involved in transfer saga for £86m star' | OneFootball

Arsenal should set their sights on luring Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk to the Emirates Stadium as they ‘definitely need to be involved in this transfer saga’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Having already spent close to £120million during the summer window, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be presented with another opportunity to bolster his squad in January.

What’s the latest news involving Mudryk?

Carlo Nicolini, Shakhtar’s deputy sporting director, has told Italian media outlet Calciomercato that Arsenal and Manchester City are taking a keen interest in Mudryk.

Nicolini has also revealed that the Ukrainian giants value the winger at more than the £86million fee Manchester United paid for Antony ahead of the September 1 deadline.

As a result, Arsenal would have to make Mudryk their club-record signing if they want to win the race for his signature.

It is understood that the north Londoners held discussions with the 21-year-old’s representatives during the summer transfer window, although talks were not opened with Shakhtar.

Newcastle United are mulling over whether to lodge a big-money bid in January, while Shakhtar director of football Darijo Srna has confirmed that Everton tabled an offer worth £26million earlier this year.

What has Dean Jones said about Mudryk?

Jones believes Arsenal need to battle it out for Mudryk’s services during the upcoming winter window.

The transfer insider feels the Gunners have to find a way of beating a host of suitors to his signature in order to show they are heading in the right direction.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: “They definitely need to be involved in this transfer saga.

“I think the next challenge for Arsenal is going to be to compete and land players that are sought-after in Europe.

“They’ve made signings like Gabriel Jesus, who was a great signing, but no-one else was really chasing him at that moment and they had a free run at him.”

Is Mudryk interested in joining Arsenal?

Mudryk appeared to open the door for an eventual switch to Arsenal as, in a video interview released in September, he admitted he ‘can’t say no’ to a winter move to the Emirates Stadium.

The eight-cap Ukraine international’s stance will be music to Arteta’s ears and boost his confidence in being able to reach an agreement.

Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin has also revealed that Mudryk’s links to the capital have become a source of humour in the dressing room, with his team-mates claiming ‘you’re already at Arsenal’.

With that being the case, it seems the Gunners have the upper-hand over other suitors who are looking to sign Mudryk, who is already into double figures for goal contributions this season.