Newcastle United have joined Arsenal and Brentford in the race to sign highly-rated Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports.
The 21-year-old has impressed in the Champions League for Shakhtar this season, scoring once and grabbing two assists in a 4-1 win over RB Leipzig, before also finding the net in a 1-1 draw with Celtic on Wednesday. He had also caught the eye of Brentford in the summer, with the Bees coming closest to landing his signature, but the Ukrainian giants stood firm to keep him at the club.
Brentford reportedly lodged an offer of around £26million for the attacker, which was turned down, while Arsenal were keen on signing him without making a formal approach. The Gunners made a number of signings across various positions, but failed to sign a right-winger to help ease Bukayo Saka's workload, despite being linked with now-Barcelona star Raphinha and Mudryk.
Newcastle have now expressed an interest in signing the player with Eddie Howe keen on the move as he looks to bolster his attack. According to Football Insider, via Newcastle World, Howe is said to be a "firm admirer" of Mudryk and has "given the green light to a concerted pursuit".
The Magpies are looking to add another forward to their ranks in the January window, with the club unable to progress deals for the likes of James Maddison, Moussa Diaby and Jack Harrison. The desire to add a wide attacker remains high on the agenda, as is the addition of another midfielder.
Mudryk would be perfect for Howe's 4-3-3 system, as he has the ability to play on either the left or right flank with the Shakhtar man more than capable of dropping in as a false-nine, too. He would join Allan Saint-Maximim, Jacob Murphy and Ryan Fraser as the Magpies' recognised wingers at the club.
Who should Mykhaylo Mudryk join if he decides to leave Shakhtar? Let us know in the comments below!
They could face increased pressure from Mikel Arteta's Arsenal, however, with Mudryk having already opened up on a potential move to the Emirates Stadium. In a remarkably honest interview with CBS Sports, Mudryk shed light on how close he came to leaving Shakhtar this summer as well as admitting who his preferred Premier League team to play for would be.
"In winter we will see. There were a lot of discussions about a transfer, about clubs who want me, but it’s normal. I’m in Shakthar and I want to play in this team, I love every player in this team.
"Shakhtar for me right now is my home. For me it’s very important that all my thoughts [are on] Shakhtar, but in winter we will see."
The winger was then asked if he harbours aspirations of playing in the English top-flight at some stage of his career. "Yes," Mudryk conceded. "I think every guy dreams about the Premier League."
Arsenal were cited as an example of a potential side Mudryk would like to join, to which he replied: "Yes yes, it’s hard to say but Arsenal is a very good team. Very good coach, I like the way they play."
This isn't the first player Arsenal and Newcastle could battle over, with both clubs interested in Bruno Guimaraes before the Magpies won the race to sign the player in January. Meanwhile, Youri Tielemans has also been linked with a move to the Gunners and the North East side with his Leicester City contract up next summer.
