Arsenal and Manchester City look set to go toe-to-toe in a £100million transfer battle for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk.
Mudryk has already publicly stated his desire to play in the Premier League and admitted he wouldn't be able to "say no" to the Gunners if they were to submit a transfer bid. The Ukrainian winger has registered 13 goal contribution in 11 appearances so far this season, scoring a brilliant solo-strike in Shakhtar's UEFA Champions League win against Celtic earlier this week.
Dubbed the 'next Kylian Mbappe', the 21-year-old was denied a move as Shakhtar slapped a £50million price tag on him in an effort to deter interest from abroad. Shakhtar Donetsk's deputy sporting director, Carlo Nicolini, has now confirmed there is concrete interest from both City and Arsenal in Mudryk who has now been valued at a higher fee than what Manchester United paid for Antony.
READ MORE: Mykhaylo Mudryk drops fresh transfer hint as Arsenal and Liverpool target the 'Ukrainian Neymar'
Speaking during an interview with Calciomercato.it’s program, TV Play - as per Sport Witness, Nicolini discussed Mudryk's future and the interest shown in him. The Shakhtar chief said: "“The headlights are on him, but I say that the Italians always come later.
"Now it is easy to observe him, but it was possible to do it before. The Italians bring low proposals, we don’t even sit down to negotiate."
“There are many English candidates, there is the Spanish on duty, the French on duty, but now it takes the right amount to take him away. Together with (Kylian) Mbappe, (Rafael) Leao and Vinicius Junior, Mudryk is the strongest player in that position."
Mudryk has previously been dubbed the 'Ukrainian Neymar' due to his electric pace and amazing dribbling abilities, and the likes of Paris Saint-Germain are also thought to be interested in signing the 21-year-old. Nicolini continued: “Oscillating between Arsenal and Manchester City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player. But there are also other clubs that can spend right away.”
His comments suggest that Arsenal and City may be waiting until next summer to make a formal offer for Mudryk, whereas other teams like PSG could be prepared to meet Shakhtar's valuation in the January window.
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