Mykhaylo Mudryk has revealed a team's style will play a 'very important' role in his next move as players around the world continue to take note of Newcastle United's transformation under Eddie Howe.
Mudryk has been one of the stars of the Champions League this season after helping guide Shakhtar Donetsk to the last 16. As well as finding the back of the net against Celtic home and away, and impressing against Real Madrid, the forward put in a man of the match display against RB Leipzig, where he scored one and set up two more in a 4-1 win.
Given Mudryk's form, and undoubted potential, Shakhtar believe the Ukraine international is worth more than Manchester United star Antony, who cost around £86m. Although there may be a degree of bluster to the club's €100m valuation, it is worth noting that Mudryk still has more than four years left on his contract.
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It may, obviously, be a different currency, but sporting director Dan Ashworth said just last month that he hopes Newcastle will be 'agile enough' in the transfer market that they would not have to spend £100m on a single player. However, the Magpies, like every major club in Europe, have certainly monitored Mudryk at the very least.
A move to the Premier League would appeal to Mudryk, who held talks with Brentford last summer, and the way a potential suitor sets up will be a factor when the 22-year-old eventually leaves Shakhtar.
"The team’s style of play will play a role," he told Vlada Sedan. "It’s very important to me."
Mudryk is not alone in thinking like this. Alexander Isak, for instance, cited Newcastle's 'very attractive style of football' as one of the main reasons why he left Real Sociedad to complete a club-record move to St James' Park last summer.
Whereas Newcastle used to sit deep and play on the counter-attack, the black-and-whites have now become a side who play on the front foot under Howe. In fact, only Spurs, Man City and Arsenal have scored more goals this season in the Premier League and that has not come at a cost at the back, where Howe's side have the best defence in the division.
When you dig a little deeper, no other Premier League team has scored more goals from outside the box (nine) or hit the woodwork more often (11) and Newcastle are also right near the top of the table for shots (218), crosses (288), corners (99), through balls (30) and fewest passes backwards (894).
Even if Newcastle do not make a move for Mudryk, that change in style will certainly help Howe's side attract players in 2023.
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