Arsenal face a race against the clock to have Mykhaylo Mudryk, let alone any potential new signings, available for selection against Newcastle United on Tuesday night.
The Gunners' plans over the next 30 days, aside from keeping their Premier League title challenge on track and advancing in the FA Cup, are sure to involve the Shakhtar Donetsk winger as he remains the club's priority signing despite seeing a bid believed to be in the region of £55m including add-ons rejected earlier in the week.
Now, whilst the January transfer window closes at the end of the month, there's another upcoming deadline that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu are surely keeping in mind as it could have a major impact should they make a signing in the next few hours.
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And that is the player registration deadline. So far this season, all of Arsenal's five summer signings in Marquinhos, Fabio Vieira, Matt Turner, Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko have since made their bows for the club either in the Premier League or the Europa League.
With that said, there is still a possibility that Arteta could have the option of handing out another Gunners debut in North London if Edu can wrap up another deal amid links to the likes of Mudryk, Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix just to name a few.
Of course, it seems highly unlikely that any of the aforementioned trio will join Arsenal before the big game at the Emirates Stadium, but if, for example, a deal can be agreed for Mudryk, he would have a chance - albeit a very slim one of making his debut against the Magpies - however, only on one condition.
As per the Premier League regulations, the Gunners would have to register the Ukraine international, or any new signings, by 12 noon on Monday, January 2 for him to be available for selection against Eddie Howe's side.
A statement reads: 'Subject to the provisions of Rule V.1, the deadline for receipt by the Board of all duly completed documents required by these Rules to effect the registration of a Player shall be 12 noon on the last Working Day before the date of the first League Match in which the Club making the application intends him to play, save that the international transfer certificate and evidence of eligibility to take up employment in the United Kingdom (in both cases if applicable) may be provided thereafter (but must be provided before the Player is eligible to play for a Club in a League Match).'
The fact that, at the time of writing, there has been no indication that Arsenal have had an improved offer accepted reduces the chances of Mudryk making his debut against Newcastle even further as personal terms, a medical, and the signing of a contract would all have to be sorted by 12 noon on Monday.
Although, based on the 21-year-old's recent social media activity, a deal should be wrapped up swiftly should the Gunners be granted permission to discuss terms. During the side's 4-2 win over Brighton on New Year's Day, Mudryk posted an image onto his Instagram Stories of Arteta and Roberto De Zerbi and captioned it '2 top coach.'
This can be seen as a glowing verdict for the winger's former and potentially future coach and it's not the first time over the past week that he's kept a close eye on developments with regard to Arsenal having watched their 3-1 win over West Ham United on Boxing Day.
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