Arsenal

Arsenal

Premier League • England

Fabrizio Romano tells Arsenal, Leeds they must put up serious money for ‘amazing’ Champions League forward

Mykhaylo Mudryk and Milan Skriniar

Arsenal and Leeds have been told by Fabrizio Romano exactly how much they will need to pay to raid Shakhtar Donetsk for ‘amazing’ winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Mudryk impressed last season in Ukraine but has taken his game to another level this term. So far he is on three goals and seven assists in nine matches. He found the net in consecutive Champions League games against RB Leipzig and Celtic to get Shakhtar’s group campaign off to a great start.

The left winger, who can also operate out on the right flank, has played twice against Real Madrid this season, too. Arsenal sent scouts to watch him in action on October 5.

Mudryk didn’t have one of his best games though and instead Arsenal officials were left gobsmacked by the ability of Real midfielder Fede Valverde, who ‘overshadowed’ his Shakhtar opponent.

Mudryk firmly remains on Arsenal’s radar, however. A transfer for him is realistic, whereas Valverde could cost upwards of £100million.

Shakhtar obviously rate Mudryk highly given his exceptional performances for them. Shakhtar director Darijo Srna thinks the 21-year-old is only behind Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior in terms of the best left wingers in Europe.

And Romano has now spoken about the kind of price Arsenal will be looking at when negotiating with Srna. Leeds will also take a keen interest in proceedings given the fact they joined the race for Mudryk on October 4.

During an interview with CaughtOffside, Romano said: “I continue to enjoy watching the development of Mykhaylo Mudryk. His performances in the Champions League this season have been amazing!

Mykhaylo Mudryk has new price tag, says Romano

“He’s a player whose value has most likely shot up since the summer. Shakhtar Donetsk wanted around €50m (£43.5m) for him in August, probably €40m plus add-ons were enough.

“Today, I’m sure they want way more than €50m for their star, it could probably be as high as €60-65m (£52.3-56.7m).”

Shakhtar selling the Ukrainian for this amount could see them break their record sale. It is currently the £53m Manchester United spent to sign Fred in July 2018.

Arsenal have spent more than £57m in the past, on Nicolas Pepe and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Therefore, signing Mudryk would fit into their financial constraints.

For Leeds, though, spending over £50m on the wide man would represent a real signal of intent. Brenden Aaronson became their record signing earlier this year, moving to Elland Road for a reported £29.5m.

New Mudryk valuation is justified

It is hard to blame Shakhtar for demanding this much when it comes to Mudryk. As Romano says, he has been ‘amazing’ in the Champions League this season.

Shakhtar have also developed the star since he was a teenager. So part of the potential £57m sum would make up for them giving Mudryk a platform to shine.

One big factor to consider is where Mudryk would fit in at either Arsenal or Leeds. Mikel Arteta currently has Gabriel Martinelli available to him on the left side of attack. The Brazilian is in brilliant form, too.

Emile Smith Rowe is in his squad as well, though the 22-year-old has had to have surgery on a groin injury this season.

Mudryk would potentially arrive at the Emirates to provide competition and backup for Martinelli.

Leeds, meanwhile, can rely on the likes of Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison and Crysencio Summerville out wide.

Harrison’s contract expires in 2024 and Newcastle are supposedly looking into signing him. Perhaps Leeds will pursue Mudryk as Harrison’s replacement, although he would still have serious competition for places in West Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, Saka and Martinelli could be joined by a defensive team-mate in receiving a new contract, according to a report.