Mykhaylo Mudryk is pushing for a move to Arsenal, although the Gunners are yet to find an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk.
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal attacking target Mykhaylo Mudryk is ready to push for a move to the Emirates. The Ukrainian winger is Mikel Arteta’a no.1 priority for the January transfer window. But sporting director Edu Gaspar is yet to find an agreement over the fee with Shakhtar Donetsk.
Mikel Arteta has outlined the need to add quality that elevates his current squad and push to challenge some of the elites in the Premier League. Arsenal sit on top of the English charts with a five-point lead over Manchester City, and the Gunners know that signing key targets in January will prove crucial.
A new midfielder and winger were earmarked for the January transfer window well before the World Cup began. But the injury to Gabriel Jesus has fueled speculation that the Gunners will also move for a striker. As things stand, there are no viable options in the present window, and Arteta is set to stick to his original plan.
In terms of a new winger, Arteta wants to bring someone who could compete with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, with the duo taking on the burden during this season. Mykhaylo Mudryk remains Arsenal’s priority attacking target, and there is mutual admiration from the player’s side.
Due to the injury to Jesus, Arsenal reportedly considered shelving their plans to sign Mudryk. But it may appear that Edu Gaspar has held discussions with Shakhtar Donetsk. Since the last few months, Mudryk has used the media to reiterate his desire to join the Gunners.
While pushing for a move to the Emirates, Edu has yet to agree on a fee with Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian club are demanding a fee close to £100 million, citing Jack Grealish’s example. The team’s Director of Football, Darijo Srna, said, “Who wants to sign Mudryk has to pay a big amount of money — otherwise our president will not sell him. Jack Grealish was sold for more than £100m and Mudryk’s level is not lower.”
Arsenal will certainly not pay that money for a 21-year-old playing in Ukraine. The talent in the attacker is evident, but he still lacks the experience needed to become a £100 million player. The Gunners want him on priority, but much will depend on the final price agreement between the sides.
TEAMtalk suggested Arsenal may have to break their transfer record to land at least the winger. That means the Gunners will need to pay a fee more than the £72 million they paid Lille for Nicolas Pepe.
