Arsenal have seen their opening bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk get rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk, but the Gunners could return with a new offer.
According to Evening Standard, Shakhtar Donetsk have rejected Arsenal’s opening offer for priority target Mykhaylo Mudryk. The bid was worth £55 million, including add-ons, and the Gunners could return with a fresh proposal for the attacker.
The game between Arsenal and West Ham United at the Emirates had many things going around in the background. First, the presence of Arsene Wenger delighted the supporters inside the stadium and then the win for their team. In addition, the news of the Gunners lodging their first bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk was also confirmed.
Mudryk took to social media and used his Instagram account to show he was watching the Arsenal-West Ham game. This is not the first instance the winger has publicly admitted to his admiration for the Gunners. The latest photo indicated again that he wants to move to the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta considers Mudryk his top attacking target in this window and wants the club to finalise the deal. The opening bid for the winger was worth a reported £55 million, including add-ons. But Shakhtar Donetsk have publicly said they want around £85 million many times, often citing the money paid for Antony and Jack Grealish.
Shakhtar Donetsk have confirmed to Arsenal that they will not accept their opening official bid for Mudryk, worth €40m + €20m 🚨🇺🇦 #AFC
It has been turned down, as reported on Monday.
But Arsenal are still in contact with Shakhtar and player side, negotiations will continue. pic.twitter.com/P0kvvKFxf3
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 28, 2022
Arsenal have now seen their opening bid get rejected by Shakhtar, which was the general expectation of many. But the Gunners are expected to return with a fresh offer, which may be far from the demands laid out by the Ukrainian outfit. The north Londoners will hope to reach an agreement in the coming days, but the deal has its complications.
Arteta is hoping for Arsenal to conclude the deal swiftly. With the move now gathering pace, there is a feeling an agreement could be close between the clubs. Alternatively, complications could drag the saga deep into next month.
Either way, Arsenal want Mudryk on priority and may push in for the move with another big offer in the coming days. Arteta is also under pressure to sign a replacement striker for Gabriel Jesus. Such a signing may only happen in the coming weeks if the right player emerges.
