Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is 'pushing' to leave the Ukrainian outfit ahead of the January transfer window. The 21-year-old is attracting interest from the Premier League with Arsenal being heavily linked with making a bid for him.
Mudryk is one of the hottest talents in Europe at the moment having impressed for Shakhtar Donetsk this season, registering 16 goal contributions in 16 appearances in all competitions. The Gunners are in need of depth in wide areas as Mikel Arteta's side prepare to fight for the Premier League title, and given Gabriel Jesus' knee injury a move for Mudryk may now be a priority.
The Ukrainian winger's proposed transfer to Arsenal has become a long-running joke in the Shakhtar Donetsk changing room, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin revealed following the summer transfer window. Chelsea are said to be looking to land a significant blow to their London rivals by hijacking a move for their number one target.
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Mudryk is still trying to force through a move to the Gunners, although the north London outfit are in disagreement with Shakhtar Donetsk over a big part of the deal, according to TEAMtalk. The Ukraine international has already admitted he would find it hard to "say no" if the Gunners came in with a bid for him.
Shakhtar are said to be holding out for roughly £88million to let him leave in the window, but the winger himself hinted that his value should be around £40million following an Instagram post during the World Cup. football.london understands that interest in the Ukraine international has existed for some time and sporting director Edu Gaspar will be hoping he can find a breakthrough in negotiations and secure a move for Mudryk.
The 21-year-old has already been overwhelmed by Arsenal fans desperation for him to join the Gunners on social media. Last month, he said: “I follow Arsenal closely, they’re a very dynamic side.
"One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me. No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them, they always tell me – come to us!”
Transfer insider Graeme Bailey told TEAMtalk: “Mudryk is pushing for [his] Arsenal move and Arsenal are pushing for him – but there is an issue over the fee. Shakhtar Donetsk are demanding Jack Grealish (£100m) money, and for a player who has only played in Ukraine, that is a tough call – despite knowing how talented he is.
“Arsenal expect they can strike a deal, but they know they are likely to have to agree a club-record deal to get him.”
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