Mykhaylo Mudryk latest: Huge update leaves Arsenal on cloud nine and struggling Chelsea sidelined
Arsenal have reportedly ‘agreed a fee’ with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk to beat Chelsea to the signing of talented winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners have acted fast to sign Mudryk as he was identified as their priority January target ahead of the winter transfer window, with a third offer now submitted for the 22-year-old.
The forward has enjoyed an impressive breakout campaign with Shakhtar, with his Champions League displays really putting him on the map.
Indeed, Mudryk grabbed three goals and added two assists in the Champions League group stage, with his value rocketing as a result.
His transfer fee last summer was around the €30m (£26m) mark but more recently Shakhtar have been insisting on nearer to €100m (£89m) in they are to even consider selling.
Arsenal have already seen two offers knocked bid, which prompted Chelsea to join the race to see if they could strike a deal.
However, the Gunners have remained in constant dialogue with the Ukrainian outfit. Meanwhile, they have also been helped by Mudryk actually pushing for the move himself.
And now journalist Rudy Galetti claims Arsenal have come to an ‘agreement on the overall amount of the transfer’. This is said to be €85-90m (£75m-£80m).
Indeed, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano also tweeted on Thursday evening that the deal is close. However, his figures were lower, claiming that a £62m figure plus add-ons has been agreed on.
Either way, the two clubs are now ‘entering the final stage’ of the transfer. Indeed, the structure of the payments is now at the point of being ‘discussed’.
The move is now expected to go through in the next few days, as Mikel Arteta delivers another blow to his rivals in the Premier League title race.
Mudryk tipped to be instant Arsenal success
Mudryk is also being tipped to be an instant hit in north London and ‘will play right away’. That’s according to Vyacheslav Groznyi, who has previously managed several clubs in Ukraine.
He has also rubbished comparisons to Manchester United summer signing Antony, given that Mudryk is “not yet a known footballer”.
“What can be said here? Mudryk wants to go to Arsenal, and Arteta wants to create a Ukrainian connection Mudryk-Zinchenko on the left flank,” Grozny told UA Football (via Sport Witness).
“He will play right away! Now in this position at Arsenal, there is no one stronger than Mudryk.
“No one will ever give €100m for Mudryk! And do not draw a parallel with Antony here. He played so much for Ajax and proved himself there. And Mudryk is not yet a known footballer. A dark horse for Europe, who shot this season in the Champions League.
“As for the transfer, I think the issue will be resolved at the end of January. And for the amount that Arsenal wants. The price will be quite decent, but far from what Shakhtar wants.
“The Pitmen can outplay themselves. If Mudryk is not sold to Arsenal now, they will not get such a sum for him again.”
Arsenal are back in action on Sunday when they head to Tottenham for the north London derby.
