Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Luke Thrower

Arsenal 'confident' of beating Chelsea to Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer after first Mikel Arteta hint

Arsenal are said to be "confident" of beating London rivals Chelsea to securing a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in the January transfer window. It comes as the two clubs battle it out for the signature of the 22-year-old, who has impressed since the start of the season.

The Gunners were linked with a switch late in the summer window, but missed out as the forward went on to show exactly what they missed out on with some impressive displays in the Champions League. It's been enough to convince the recruitment team to make another move and football.london understands opening bids in the January window have been made, but subsequently rejected.

While Mudryk has dropped plenty of hints over wanting a switch to the Emirates Stadium, Shakhtar chief Darijo Srna was pictured at Stamford Bridge ahead of talks with the Blues for a move instead. While that was the case, Mikel Arteta dropped a huge first hint that a deal could come soon.

READ MORE: Arsenal schedule fresh Joao Felix transfer talks to beat Chelsea and Man Utd to permanent deal

“I don’t know. Obviously, valuations have to be made between the selling club and the buying club," said Arteta when asked whether other clubs have made it tougher to sign players. “It is difficult but as well, it shows a lot of clubs with a lot of financial power to spend big amounts and we have to compete with them.

“We have to be smart, we have to see for good opportunities as well. We have to be attractive for players," He said before adding a hint on Mudryk, saying: "At the end players decide where they want to play, and if they want to play for our club, this is great."

It's that sort of player power that has seen the Gunners miss out on the likes of Dusan Vlahovic and Raphinha in the past year, but this time it could work in their favour. That could be part of the reason Fabrizio Romano reports in his Caught Offside column that there is confidence a deal for Mudryk will happen in January.

“Of course Arsenal are confident, and Arteta too,” Romano said. “But reaching an agreement with Shakhtar is crucial, they were so strong in negotiations also in August when they turned down €30million from Everton when it sounded like a great bid. No deadlines have been mentioned in the negotiations, as of now; talks continue.”

With plenty of twists and turns left in the January window, it remains to be seen what could come next from the Mudryk transfer saga.

READ NEXT:

Mikel Arteta hints Mykhaylo Mudryk's dream Arsenal move can happen after supporting player power

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal's Oxford test, transfer latest and touchline behaviour

Mikel Arteta delivers update on Emile Smith Rowe's fitness ahead of Oxford vs Arsenal

Diego Simeone makes Joao Felix demand as Edu continues negotiations over £16m Arsenal loan deal

Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.