Player recommendation sees Arsenal initiate transfer talks over £65m ace, with discussions going ‘very positively’

An Arsenal player has reportedly told the club’s hierarchy to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and this has resulted in them opening talks over his capture.

Mudryk is averaging a goal contribution per game this season, having notched seven goals and seven assists in 14 appearances for Shakhtar. He is viewed as the next big prospect to come out of Ukraine and Shakhtar are expecting to make some serious money when letting him go.

Real Madrid have previously been named as potential suitors for the left winger. But it is Arsenal who are now pushing hardest to land him.

The Gunners’ transfer hopes have been boosted by Mudryk’s comments. He has admitted he wants to move to the Premier League and that he ‘likes the way they [Arsenal] play’.

There was a new twist in the chase on Tuesday. 90Min revealed how Oleksandr Zinchenko was getting involved. The left-back is a Ukraine team-mate of Mudryk’s. And he has reportedly sent Arsenal chiefs a ‘glowing reference’ on the wide man.

And it seems Gunners technical director Edu was listening to Zinchenko. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal have begun negotiations with Shakhtar over the potential £65million deal and the initial signs are ‘positive’.

“We know they [Arsenal] wanted a winger. Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible to proceed,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“They have had very positive contacts on Mudryk on the player’s side, but then they decided not to proceed with Shakhtar because they wanted more than £40m to £45m.

Winger’s price tag rises to £65m

“Now Shakhtar want more than £60m to £65m,” Romano added. “But Arsenal are still following the player.

“They consider Mudryk a top talent and so Arsenal are still there. Let’s see because now the race is open with many top clubs. But Arsenal will be busy in the next few weeks.”

The race for Mudryk is hotting up, which is no surprise given his electric performances. Romano doesn’t reveal which other teams like the look of him, but it would be sensible to think Arsenal are at the front of the queue.

As Romano states, Arsenal are eager to bolster their winger ranks. This explains the failed signing of Raphinha and the Mudryk pursuit.

This is an interesting stance given the fact Mikel Arteta can already rely on Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on either flank. Plus, he will benefit from Emile Smith Rowe returning from injury in December or January. 19-year-old Marquinhos is in the squad, too.

Given the form of Martinelli and Saka, it is hard to see Mudryk going straight into the Arsenal starting eleven. But perhaps Arteta and Edu feel more attacking options are required if Arsenal are to truly challenge Manchester City over the next few years.

In the mean time, Mudryk will look to continue impressing over the coming months to keep Arsenal interested. However, he will not be able to shine on the biggest stage of all. That’s because Ukraine didn’t qualify for the Qatar World Cup.

Meanwhile, Arsenal are pushing to sign a Bundesliga forward this winter, according to reports.