GiveMeSport
·5 January 2023
GiveMeSport
·5 January 2023
Arsenal are still in “open dialogue” with Shakhtar Donetsk over the possibility of signing Ukraine winger Mykhaylo Mudryk for Mikel Arteta’s squad at the Emirates Stadium this month, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
The Gunners have been linked for a move for the 22-year-old since the summer transfer window.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal have made an improved bid on their original offer worth £52m, with the decision now being up to Shakhtar according to Ukrainian journalist Yehor Danylov.
However, the Daily Mail has reported that the Ukrainian giants are set to reject the Gunners’ transfer offer, which is reportedly worth around £62m, with Chelsea now set to provide competition for the wide man’s signature this month, with Romano suggesting that direct talks over a move to Stamford Bridge are expected.
The eight-time Ukraine winger, who has been described as “frightening” by journalist Josh Bunting, has consistently hinted that he desires a move to the Emirates Stadium, having dropped several pictures of him watching Arteta’s side on Instagram.
Respected journalist Pete O’Rourke has recently told GiveMeSport that he believes that the signing of Mudryk would help the Premier League leaders maintain their title challenge during the second half of the campaign.
And Jones now believes that Arsenal are still in dialogue over an eventual deal to bring the young talent to the Emirates this winter, but Chelsea’s interest could drive the Shakhtar star’s value up.
When asked about how a deal between Arsenal and Shakhtar is progressing for Mudryk, Jones told GiveMeSport: “They’re still in open dialogue about this and they know there’s going to be more negotiations to be had.
“But if somebody on behalf of Chelsea has touched base to find out about the terms of a deal then, of course, Shakhtar are going to entertain it. It’s definitely in their interest to do that.
“So, I wouldn’t say that this deal is being hijacked but I would consider that Shakhtar want this deal to suit them and there is more chance of them getting the money they’re looking for if other teams are now linked to the player.”
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Mudryk has been a consistently excellent and reliable source of goals for Shakhtar so far this season, having hit the back of the net ten times and providing eight assists in 18 appearances, according to Transfermarkt.
An average WhoScored rating of 6.92 for his showings in the Champions League this season ranks him as the club’s third-best player in the competition, suggesting that the starlet is capable of performing to a solid basis on the continent’s biggest stage.
Therefore, with Arsenal needing more forward reinforcements following Gabriel Jesus’ injury sustained at the World Cup, the arrival of Mudryk may just be a signing that makes a lot of sense for Arteta and Edu this winter.
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