David Ornstein is reporting that ‘there is a good chance’ Mykhaylo Mudryk will leave Shakhtar Donetsk in January amid reports linking him with Arsenal.
The winger has been heavily linked with Arsenal in recent weeks as his stock has risen significantly during the first few months of the 2022/23 campaign.
The 21-year-old has grabbed seven goals and seven assists in just 12 games in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Mudryk has also caused a stir in the Champions League group stages as he was involved in five goals in six games.
The Gunners are in the market for a new winger as they look to bolster their attacking ranks ahead of their push for the Premier League title.
The Shakhtar star would have been available for just £20m in the summer but clubs are now being quoted as much as £100m with his contract not due to expire until 2026.
As recently as Sunday, their director of football – Darijo Srna – suggested that Mudryk is at the same level as Man City’s Jack Grealish so he should be valued at around £100m.
Mudryk’s emergence has only come recently so this asking price is a bit steep.
But Arsenal supporters could start to get excited as Ornstein is reporting that there is a ‘good chance’ Mudryk will join the London club in January.
The Athletic reporter has also revealed that clubs interested in Mudryk understand that a fee ‘lower than £85.9m would be deemed acceptable.
The report states:
‘The Premier League paused for six weeks to make room for this winter World Cup with Arsenal top of the table, leaving many keen to discover if the January window will be used to help maintain what is an unexpected title bid.
‘Arsenal are prepared to do so if an opportunity arises that the club deem right for the long term, with the Kroenke family — their American owners — wanting to back now-sporting director Edu and manager Mikel Arteta.
‘Their priority target is Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and sources with knowledge of the matter think there is a good chance it will happen, though nothing is agreed at present.
‘Shakhtar have stated their value for the highly-coveted Ukraine international as €100million (£85.9m, $105.3m) – but interested parties are of the understanding that a lower fee would be deemed acceptable.
‘Arsenal are among the clubs in touch with both Shakhtar and Mudryk’s representatives, with the 21-year-old known to be focused on moving to the Premier League and determined to make the Emirates Stadium his destination.
‘Brentford had a deal worth €25million in place last summer, when he was also on Arsenal’s radar, and his stock has since risen. It will ultimately come down to the price and while the north London club may have alternative possibilities, Mudryk is their focus.’
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