January transfer window pace-setters Chelsea are reportedly willing to outbid Arsenal in an attempt to sign €100 million-rated Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk this month.
According to the report from the Independent, Chelsea have blown Arsenal out of the water in the race to land Mykhaylo Mudryk by offering the player and his club Shakhtar Donetsk huge money to hijack Gunners’ top target.
The 22-year-old is the subject of a tug-of-war between the Premier League rivals, who are both eager on signing the Ukraine international.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has insisted in his recent interviews that Arsenal must use every opportunity to bolster their limited squad as they look to continue as the Premier League’s pacesetters.
The table-topping North Londoners’ title charge suffered a minor setback on Tuesday, as they were denied the chance to go 10 points clear after a feisty goalless draw with Newcastle. They ran out of ideas in the attacking third when confronted with a tenacious Magpies defence, and may seek attacking reinforcements to add more creativity in that area of the pitch.
As such, speedy winger Mykhaylo Mudryk remains their priority target after being impressed with his recent exploits for club and country. Their interest in the winger stems back to last summer, but they have ramped up their pursuit this month due to Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
Having already agreed on personal terms with the player, the Gunners made their first official bid for the 22-year-old last week, offering an upfront fee of around €40 million, which would rise to €62 million with add-ons and bonuses.
However, Shakhtar swiftly rejected the opening offer and told Arsenal that they are anticipating a bid close to the sum that Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish back in 2021. The Gunners have since lodged a second bid, increasing the fixed fee to €50 million plus add-ons.
However, reports suggest they are set to have their latest bid knocked back by Shakhtar Donetsk as well, with the Ukrainians holding out for closer to €100 million.
That’s a price tag that the Gunners would not be ready to match, and though the two clubs remain in discussion, Mikel Arteta’s side will pull the plug on negotiations if they feel the fee is too steep, with a valuation gap of around €20 million.
That has left the door open for rivals Chelsea to try their luck in hijacking the deal, with Todd Boehly more willing to break the bank for Mudryk, particularly as they are currently outsiders for a Champions League spot and are desperately seeking help from the transfer market.
Shakhtar chief Darijo Srna has travelled to London and will hold talks with Chelsea over a potential move for Mudryk, as the Blues are ready to pay substantially more than Arsenal if the Gunners return with better offers on the table.
The report adds that Arsenal are calm over the situation and believe they will beat their cross-London rivals to the services of Mudryk, who has his heart set on a move to the Emirates and has not shied away from publicly supporting the Gunners on social media in recent times.
If Chelsea can somehow beat Arsenal to signing Mudryk, he will be a significant upgrade over Hakim Ziyech and Christian Pulisic, paving the path for the wing duo’s imminent exits.
