Arsenal have been handed a huge boost in their transfer pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk. The 22-year-old is pushing for a move to the Emirates Stadium and continues to drop hints about his future on social media.
Chelsea have launched an audacious attempt to hijack the Gunners' move for Mudryk, with Shakhtar chiefs visiting Stamford Bridge to hold talks with Todd Boehly earlier this week. The Ukrainian outfit have demanded a fee in the region of £85million for their star attacker, a fair price in their eyes considering Antony's £86million move to Manchester United and Jack Grealish's £100million transfer to Manchester City.
football.london understands Arsenal are prioritising a move for Mudryk in the January transfer window but are also interested in a central midfielder and left-sided centre-back. Gabriel Jesus' injury will see him sidelined until February, with the Gunners hoping to tie up deals for the 22-year-old and Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
READ MORE: Arsenal's next transfer after Mykhaylo Mudryk deal has already been decided
The Shakhtar forward has hardly hidden his desire to leave the Ukrainian outfit and openly admitted he would be 'sad' if he couldn't force through an exit this month, according to The Mirror. The Ukraine international has scored 10 goals and provided a further eight assists in 18 appearances across all competitions for Shakhtar this season as a move to the Premier League continues to be negotiated.
Chelsea are rumoured to be willing to outbid any rival offer and meet Shakhtar's astronomical £85million asking price. Arsenal are refusing to be drawn into a bidding war and are not phased by the Blues' approach for Mudryk as they look to rely on the player's desire to play for Mikel Arteta as a key bargaining chip.
The Ukrainian international was regularly liking posts on Instagram mentioning his proposed Arsenal switch and even uploaded footage of him watching Arteta's side to his story. New reports have suggested that the 22-year-old may have had his head slightly turned by Chelsea's interest, despite the Gunners sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal have done plenty of groundwork in securing a deal for Mudryk and remain confident that a transfer will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Chelsea's interest means the transfer saga could rumble on right until the very end of the window later this month.
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