Arsenal had a strong start to the summer transfer window addressing both the forward and defensive positions, which clearly needed strengthening towards the back of last season. Despite a good start to the window, more acquisitions were still needed towards the end of the market, which will now have Edu occupied in the winter window in January.
Two positions seem to be the main targets for the Gunners, as Edu has reportedly been chasing players in the midfield and wing areas. It looks as though the Brazilian is prioritising the wide areas at Arsenal and could be using the World Cup to assess players for the January transfer window.
Links to Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic have surfaced, but this should not deter Edu from focusing on completing a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk, as the Ukrainian has already shown this season why he would be the better choice in strengthening the wide areas.
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Christian Pulisic is attracting numerous headlines following his World Cup displays with the USMNT and speculation over where his future lies is increasing. Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle United are all in the hunt for the wantaway Blues star. The 24-year-old arrived from Borussia Dortmund in January 2019 for £57.6million but has failed to hold down a regular spot in the Chelsea starting XI.
The Athletic are reporting that an asking price of £35m to sell Pulisic has been mooted with the American international showing no desire to extend beyond 2024 meaning Todd Boehly will have a few windows to try and drum up the price of Pulisic in an attempt to receive close to what Chelsea paid just under three years ago. Despite a seemingly cheap deal for the American, spending more on Mudryk would certainly be the better option.
The winger had a phenomenal start to the season by scoring two goals and also assisting on one occasion in the opening two matches of the Champions League group stage, with his team only missing out on progression to the knockout stages on the final matchday after losing against RB Leipzig.
Amid recent interest in Mudryk, Shakhtar Donetsk's deputy Sporting Director Carlo Nicolini spoke on a potential deal vis Calciomercato. He said: “Arsenal and Manchester City are two teams that have taken an interest but there are also other clubs.
"We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100million (£86million).”
Mudryk made an admission about his admiration for Arsenal that could boost chances of potential deal. Speaking to CBS Sports, he said: "I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. It's hard to say [who his preferred move is] but Arsenal is a very good team, very good coach, I like the way they play."
When asked if he would make a move to the Emirates Stadium he said: "From my side, I can't say no [to Arsenal]. But the transfer is not only my decision."
He also spoke in an interview with Vlada Sedan, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s wife, and the 21-year-old suggested the amount of interest from Arsenal supporters was not something he expected.
"One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me," Mudryk told Sedan. "No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them. Telling me that they are waiting for me, saying 'come to us'. One of my recent posts has over 500 comments saying that."
According to TalkSPORT, Mudryk is understood have held ‘positive talks’ over a potential move to Arsenal in January. Considering the players’ insistence to join Arsenal and his impressive start to the campaign, it highlights why the Gunners should choose him over Pulisic.
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