Mykhailo Mudryk has given a not-so-subtle hint that he wants to join Arsenal after watching their impressive win over Brighton.
Arsenal are in negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk over the transfer of Mudryk, who has been in superb form this season. The 21-year-old winger is valued at an eye-popping £85million by Shakhtar, who have benefited from 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this campaign.
Mudryk has been scouted by several of the European giants, but Arsenal are chasing his signature the most. It's believed the Gunners have already seen a £55m bid rejected by Shakhtar – and it seems the winger is keen to get the move over the line.
Mudryk was clearly paying close attention to Arsenal’s 4-2 win over Brighton on New Year’s Eve, as he posted a picture of his screen on Instagram, along with the caption “2 top coach”. The words referred to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi.
De Zerbi joined Brighton from Shakhtar in September after Graham Potter moved to Chelsea. The Italian coached Mudryk during the 2021/22 season, but the post seems aimed at talking up Arteta, more than hailing his former manager.
Murdryk has also used his Instagram to share a compilation video showing his best goals and skills of 2022. The video is set to the song ‘Circo Loco’ by 21 Savage and Drake, which includes the lyrics: “Still gotta see the Gunners win Premier League.”
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Mudryk has been open about his admiration for Arsenal. He recently told CBS: "I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. Arsenal is a very good team with a very good coach. I like the way they play. Yes, it would be hard to say no from my side, I can't say no but the transfer is not only my decision and my word."
While a January transfer is far from confirmed, Mudryk does know that his club are in negotiations over his sale. Shakhtar Donetsk's chief executive Sergei Palkin has been open about the club’s intentions.
"Talks for Mudryk are on,” he said on Thursday. “We receive offers but not the ones we would like to see on our table. I'll speak again to Arsenal. So, yes, we are open to discussing fees and ideas.
"If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time. Now, literally in five minutes, I will have a new phone call conversation with Arsenal for the Mykhailo Mudryk deal."
Arteta, however, has kept his cards close to his chest so far. "I cannot talk about players that are not ours," he said in his press conference before the trip to Brighton.
