Mikel Arteta refused to be drawn on Chelsea’s pursuit of Arsenal’s top target Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners have lodged two bids, the most recent of which is worth in the region of £62m, for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger.
Still, Standard Sport understands free-spending Chelsea are ready to enter the race as the Boehly-Clearlake ownership continues to back Graham Potter despite a difficult start to his tenure.
While Arsenal’s second offer is not thought to have yet been either accepted or rejected, Shakthar have invited Chelsea into a meeting scheduled for later this week.
It remains to be seen just how strongly the Stamford Bridge giants will pursue the 21-year-old, who has frequently indicated he would be keen to move to the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are eager to sign a wide forward as they push for a first Premier League title in 19 years amid fears Gabriel Jesus could miss up to three months of action.
Responding when asked about the latest on the transfer front after Tuesday’s draw at home to Newcastle, Arteta said: “I don’t know, it’s a question for Edu and the board to respond. We are trying to improve the squad in every window.
“This is no different, we will do our best because we cannot waste any window with the squad numbers that we have so we shall try.”
