Chelsea open talks to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk

Chelsea have opened talks with Shakhtar Donetsk to sign Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk, who will cost £80 million.

According to The Sun, Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk are in talks for Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Blues are in line to make an offer if Arsenal cannot agree on a deal for the 21-year-old winger in the coming days, with the Ukrainian club’s director Darijo Srna set to arrive in London for discussions with Todd Boehly.

Todd Boehly wants to add game changers in the January transfer window to aid Graham Potter’s chances of succeeding and helping Chelsea achieve their targets. The Blues’ co-owner is willing to spend big and is already making plenty of moves in the transfer market.

Chelsea are on the verge of signing Enzo Fernandez from Benfica and will pay a huge fee to secure the Argentine World Cup winner. They already have deals for Frenchman Christopher Nkunku and David Fofana, but Boehly wants to bring in more players to improve the squad’s quality.

In recent days, widespread reports suggested Chelsea were ready to hijack a move for Mykhaylo Mudryk from under Arsenal’s nose. The 21-year-old winger is a hot subject in this transfer window, with the Gunners in discussions with Shakhtar Donetsk over a move.

Arsenal have improved their proposal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, confirmed — as talks are on after €40m plus €20m bid rejected. 🚨⚪️🔴 #AFC

It’s up to Shakhtar now, as @yehor__d reported.

🔵 Chelsea, also interested in Mudryk in case Arsenal deal collapses. #AFC remain priority. pic.twitter.com/YBYWFSlZSy

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 2, 2023

Chelsea are reportedly in talks with Shakhtar for the £80 million-rated Arsenal target and could hold further discussions in London during the coming days. The Ukrainian club’s director Darijo Srna is expected in London and could hold talks with Boehly over a potential transfer of the 21-year-old winger.

Jack Rosser claims Chelsea might be willing to offer £60 million in fixed payments and a further £20 million in bonuses, thus taking the deal to the £80 million mark. Arsenal have thus far offered only £62 million, which is well short of Shakhtar’s valuations of the winger.

While Chelsea’s interest is serious, Arsenal are in pole position for the winger as things stand. The Gunners have agreed on personal terms with Mudryk over a five-year, £120,000-a-week deal to join the north Londoners. The player also has his heart set on joining Mikel Arteta’s side, going by the few interviews and social media posts.

Arsenal have had their first official bid rejected and have since made an improved offer to tempt Shakhtar into a sale. The arrival of Chelsea in the background could prove disruptive for the Gunners but valuable for Shakhtar as they can have a strong point on the negotiation table.

For now, Chelsea are second in line behind the Gunners. If Arsenal fail to agree on terms with Shakhtar, the Blues could remain ready to pounce and complete a deal quickly for the winger. The coming days will determine where Mudryk might move, although, for now, everything points towards north London.