If a report from Foot Mercato is believed to be true, Arsenal are finally closing in on their long-term transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk. Chelsea were also chasing the Shakhtar Donetsk sensation, however, their move for Joao Felix has boosted the Gunners’ hope ahead of a potential January swoop.
It is no secret that the North London hotshots have been in constant conversation with Shakhtar for the Ukrainian winger. Mudryk is also keen on plying his trade at the Emirates, but the £88m asking fee from his employers led to complications in the transfer race. Both teams might reach an agreement soon as they are currently negotiating bonuses and add-ons to make it work for all parties involved.
The 22-year-old Ukraine international is one of the most exciting attacking prospects in the European circuit. He represented his nation at various youth levels before securing a key status for the senior team. With 10 goals and 8 assists in 18 Shakhtar appearances, Mudryk has exhibited his excellence so far this season.
Carlo Nicolini, the Deputy sporting director of the Ukrainian giants, values him more than what Manchester United paid Ajax to secure the services of Antony.
“We value Mudryk more than United’s Antony – £85m. Floating between Arsenal and Man City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player. But there are also other clubs than can spend right away. We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to lose phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic.”
Nicolini told Calciomercato (as quoted by The Sun) while discussing the future of their prized asset a few days ago. They are playing hardball to make a significant financial gain and the Gunners, desperate to conquer the coveted Premier League crown, are expected to stretch their budget to snap him up in the coming days.
Why Arsenal Should Secure His Services
Mudryk progressed through the academy ranks of Metalist Kharkiv, Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk, and Shakhtar Donetsk before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad back in October 2018. He was briefly loaned out to Arsenal Kyiv and Desna Chernihiv for regular gametime, but he took his game to the next level from last year onwards.
The right-footed attacker prefers to operate from the left as an inverted winger. But he has showcased his adaptability down the right, and also as a ‘number 10’ depicting his flexibility in the attacking third. Arsenal are already running riots with Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard, and the addition of Mudryk would inject more quality as well as firepower en route to achieving the coveted trophy.
