Arsenal transfer latest: Fabrizio Romano warns Gunners to ‘move fast’ for exciting target with hurdles in place over January raid

Fabrizio Romano insists Arsenal are still interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk but doubts remain over a January move for the winger.

The Gunners have enjoyed a superb start to the campaign and are challenging the dominance of champions Manchester City. The north Londoners have surprised many with their consistency, winning ten and drawing one of their first 12 games. They have bagged 30 top-flight goals, with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus both notching five to date.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have four each while Granit Xhaka has chipped in with three.

The Emirates outfit have conceded only 11 times in the league in what is currently a two-horse race with City.

However, there is a long way to go before the title is decided in a season punctuated by the upcoming World Cup.

Injuries may take their toll. And there is a sense that Arsenal may be a bit light in numbers if their top stars are in the treatment room.

To that end, reports claim that Mikel Arteta will look to strengthen his ranks in the January transfer window. He is said to have a £50m budget to work with and wants two new players in his squad.

Orlando City winger Facundo Torres is thought to be high on the Spaniard’s list of targets.

And they are also have eyes on Ukraine interantional Mudryk, according to the Italian journalist.

“For sure Arsenal remain interested, they are following him for a long time but there’s still nothing decided,” Romano said in his CaughtOffside column.

Arsenal may struggle with January move for Mudryk

Mikel Arteta appeared close to losing his job after a disastrous start to last season. However, the 40-year-old managed to turn things around, guiding the side to fifth in the table.

They narrowly missed out on a Champions League spot as north London rivals Tottenham finished fourth.

That rubbed salt into the wounds for Arsenal fans but they took care of Antonio Conte’s side 3-1 earlier this campaign.

Heading into Sunday’s fixtures, the men in red and white sat five points clear of their neighbours to hold bragging rights.

Only time will tell if they can maintain that form until May next year. Fresh faces midway though the season could be the answer.

It seems clear they want Mudryk. But, with a hefty price tag on his shoulders, it is open to debate as to whether a deal can be done.

Romano feels there will be many suitors for the 21-year-old. And the Gunners board might have to re-think their finances if Arteta is to get his man.

“Shakhtar Donetsk want more than €60-65m to sell him now and it’s not easy,” he added. “The race is open, if Arsenal really want him they have to move fast.”

Team-mates expect Arsenal move

Mudryk is tipped as a real star of the future, with eight Ukraine caps to his name already.

A move to a European giant seems inevitable. And Shakhtar goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin recently admitted that his team-mates tease him that he is ‘already at Arsenal’.

It might not be that simple, however, as money is likely to dictate the youngster’s next move.

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