Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke was reportedly willing to match Chelsea's offer of £88million for Mykhailo Mudryk in January before Mikel Arteta opted against the move.
The Gunners had been interested in the winger back to late last summer before accelerating their pursuit in the January transfer window. Sporting director Edu Gaspar saw two transfer offers turned down by Shakhtar Donetsk before London rivals Chelsea swooped in.
Mudryk completed his move to Stamford Bridge swiftly after Todd Boehly met Shakhtar's valuation and Arsenal instead signed Leandro Trossard from Brighton & Hove Albion for £27m.
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Since sealing his 'dream' move to England, Mudryk has struggled to get going. In his 14 games for the Blues, the 22-year-old has failed to score a goal and has provided only two assists. On Tuesday, he visited the Emirates Stadium for the first time since his switch to Chelsea and shared a friendly embrace with Mikel Arteta on the touchline.
However, it seems Arteta and Edu were the motivations behind Arsenal's decision not to pursue the transfer. According to French journalist Julian Lauren, the pair turned down the deal, despite Kroenke's willingness to match Chelsea's bid.
"Kroenke would have paid but Edu and Mikel said - 'We can't. We have to be disciplined here, we have to have a structure'," he told the Premier League's Kelly and Wrighty Show.
"And I think they deserve respect for that."
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