The Hard Tackle lists three players Arsenal should target as Mykhaylo Mudryk alternatives, with the Ukrainian winger joining Chelsea.
One of the biggest stories heading into the summer transfer window had linked Mykhaylo Mudryk with Arsenal. A player who was largely unknown ahead of the 2022/23 season had become a hot property in the market. And mere months separated the Ukrainian international from being under the radar to stardom.
But a constantly-rising price tag did not detract Arsenal from Mudryk. And the Gunners gradually advanced talks to sign the 22-year-old from Shakhtar Donetsk. Chelsea’s presence in the equation did not seem to matter either, as the north Londoners seemed primed to land the young winger.
But the bombshell dropped on Saturday evening as Chelsea suddenly stole the march. And the Blues quickly reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign the Ukrainian international. That left Arsenal shell-shocked, forcing the Gunners to turn their attention towards identifying an alternative in the market.
With just two weeks remaining for the January transfer window to shut down, the north London outfit will need to go back to the drawing board quickly. And with that in mind, The Hard Tackle lists three alternatives to Mykhaylo Mudryk for Arsenal to pursue before the January transfer window shuts down.
Marcus Thuram
1 – In the 2022-23 #Bundesliga season @MarcusThuram ranks first for…
🥇Expected Goals (9.5 xG)
🥇Shots (56)
🥇Shot ending carries (19)Driven. pic.twitter.com/l0AzudryZr
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) January 9, 2023
Pursuing the first option on our list will be a direct attack from Arsenal to Chelsea for stealing Mykhaylo Mudryk. The player in question is Marcus Thuram, who has emerged on the radars of most top clubs in Europe.
The French international recently featured for his nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and is enjoying a superb 2022/23 season. But those are not the only reasons for the significant rise in his stock in the last few months. A major factor is the duration of his contract, which expires in the summer.
So Thuram will be available for a cut-price sum in the January transfer window. And it is hardly surprising that several clubs are all over him this month. With Chelsea being one of his prospective suitors, Arsenal will have the chance to exact revenge on the Blues for Mudryk.
The 25-year-old can play across the frontline, making him the perfect solution for Arsenal’s issues. With Gabriel Jesus on the sidelines for the foreseeable future, Thuram can be an alternative to Eddie Nketiah as the central striker. Alternatively, he can play out wide if Mikel Arteta needs to rest either Gabriel Martinelli or Bukayo Saka.
Leandro Trossard
Most Premier League goals scored for Brighton in the competition's history:
◎ 26 – Glen Murray
◎ 26 – Neal Maupay
◉ 25 – Leandro TrossardDoesn't sound like Trossard will be breaking the record. 😬 pic.twitter.com/ALKk25qDa4
— Squawka (@Squawka) January 13, 2023
The next name on our list is another potential cut-price signing. And poaching this player will also enable Arsenal to get one over a bitter rival. But instead of Chelsea, the Gunners can usurp fellow north London club Tottenham only a few days after beating them in the derby.
Tottenham recently submitted an offer to sign Trossard, only for Brighton to turn it down. And the north Londoners will likely return with another bid, considering the 28-year-old faces an uncertain future at the Amex Stadium. But Arsenal will do well to steal a march on Tottenham.
Trossard is unsettled at Brighton & Hove Albion since returning from the World Cup. And Roberto De Zerbi has reportedly banished the Belgian international from training after his recent antics. So it seems that the two parties have reached a point of no return. And now is the time for Arsenal to pounce and snap up the player.
Like Thuram, Trossard can play across the frontline, making him an attractive option for Arsenal. The 28-year-old has also raised his performance levels considerably this season. And with Arteta employing a possession-based system at Arsenal, a move might work for both parties.
Memphis Depay
EXCL. Memphis Depay’s lawyer Sebastien Ledure: “There are no negotiations ongoing for Memphis to join Inter. I can deny all these links — it’s not a possibility we are discussing”. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
Understand Depay will leave Barça in January, as Atlético Madrid remain interested. pic.twitter.com/T91CtJOiYF
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 16, 2023
Our list ends with another versatile player. And like the other two candidates, this attacker is also unsettled to some extent at his current club. We are speaking about Memphis Depay, whose FC Barcelona future is up in the air. And the Dutchman might soon depart from Spotify Camp Nou to resurrect his career.
The former Manchester United attacker has seen his fortunes dwindle at Camp Nou in the last twelve months. And Depay will look to leave Barcelona in the ongoing transfer window. So Arsenal will have the chance to snap up the 28-year-old in a cut-price deal.
But the Gunners need to be decisive, as Depay is also a target for several other high-profile clubs. Newcastle United recently initiated discussions to secure his services this month. Meanwhile, the Barcelona attacker is also a target for Atletico Madrid. But Arsenal can sell him a budding project.
In addition, Depay might reckon he has unfinished business in the Premier League after failing to make his mark at Manchester United. And with the player still at the peak of his powers, he can provide Arsenal with the best years of his career.
