Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has addressed the fact that Gunners transfer target Mykhailo Mudryk was pictured watching the comprehensive 3-1 win over West Ham on Monday night.
The Shakhtar Donestk forward has long been on the radar of a number of European giants, but in recent weeks Arsenal have upped the intensity of their interest and now look like they are comfortably leading the race for Mudryk's signature. It would seem that the player himself is also keen on the move happening, if his recent social media actvity is anything to go by.
The Gunners welcomed West Ham to the Emirates on Boxing Day as Arteta's side looked to pick up where they left off before the World Cup meant all club action was paused for a month.
Having fallen behind after a Said Benrahma penalty in the first-half, the Arsenal players emerged after the interval like a side possessed as they eventually ran-out 3-1 winners courtesy of goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah.
Watching on from home on an iPad was none other than Mudryk himself, in what was his latest hint he is aiming to become an Arsenal player in the coming weeks as the January transfer window edges closer.
The 21-year-old took a snap of the game on the screen and uploaded it to his Instagram story.
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Arteta was pressed for comment on the picture after the game and replied: "I never speak of players that are not with us… but it’s a good thing for England that you don't have many other games in other countries!
"Hopefully we gave all the people a good show with this game."
His comments came just hours after it had been reported that the Gunners have lodged their first official bid for the 21-year-old Ukrainian international.
Arsenal are rumoured to have sent Shakhtar an offer of £35million with a further £15m in add-ons, though that overall sum of £50m is still thought to be significantly below what the selling club are trying to hold out for.
Shakhtar are aiming to pocket a whopping £85m (€100m) as compensation for Mudryk's exit, but even the player himself has admitted that is quite the target.
"I have a long-term contract with Shakhtar [set to expire in December 2026]," Mudryk told Sport Arena in November. "I give all my strength and energy so that Shakhtar achieves maximum results... but every football player has a dream to play in a top club and in a top championship - I am no exception.
"But I am 100 per cent sure that they are unlikely to buy a player from the championship of Ukraine for 100 million... I will not hide that I was very upset. The amount of 100 million puts a barrier for my transition to the top championship, which I so dreamed of. I can't say that my dream was killed, but wounded - that's for sure."
