Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer takes massive twist as second Arsenal bid rejected and Chelsea emerging with Shakhtar talks planned

The possibility of Mykhaylo Mudryk joining Chelsea instead of Arsenal is increasing as reports claim Mikel Arteta’s side have had another bid rejected, while Chelsea are preparing to speak with Shakhtar Donetsk.

Mudryk is almost certain to leave Shakhtar this month as he is pushing for a route out of the club. He knows this is a great opportunity for him to achieve a big-money transfer and test himself out in a major European league.

Real Madrid were briefly linked with the winger. But overall the Premier League has always appeared to be his most likely destination.

Arsenal have fought off Newcastle in recent months to put themselves in pole position for Mudryk. They submitted their first bid for him on Boxing Day, according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. He claims it is worth €60million in total (£52.7m).

However, Shakhtar turned down the proposal as it did not meet their lofty demands. Shakhtar vice director Carlo Nicolini responded by saying: “We’re not even considering a bid with €40m as [a] fixed fee.”

Romano believes Arsenal have since submitted a second offer which includes €50m (£44m) as a fixed fee, plus substantial bonuses.

The Daily Mail provide an update and claim Arsenal’s improved bid is worth £62m in total. However, this is still not enough for Shakhtar to accept, as they are poised to reject it.

They publicly value their prized asset at £88m and want Arsenal to get closer to this sum. Arsenal have never spent more than £72m on a player before, so Shakhtar’s demands are putting the entire transfer in doubt.

Chelsea pushing to get Mykhaylo Mudryk before Arsenal

The attacker would be furious if his move to Arsenal fell through. He has spoken regularly about his admiration for the club. Plus, he has put a few stories on Instagram of him watching Gunners matches.

An alternative transfer could soon emerge in the form of Chelsea, though. The Daily Mail’s report claims Chelsea are posing a serious threat to Arsenal’s pursuit of Mudryk.

And news that Arsenal’s second bid has been rejected will only give Chelsea more confidence about signing him first.

Blues chief Todd Boehly has shown his huge ambition by spending hundreds of millions of pounds since buying the club in May. He has sanctioned the £75m capture of Wesley Fofana and the £60m arrival of Marc Cucurella, plus several other expensive deals.

As such, Chelsea will easily have the funds to increase on Arsenal’s bid and potentially match Shakhtar’s Mudryk valuation. There is now a good chance Chelsea could steal in and complete the signing ahead of their London rivals.

To make matters worse for Arteta, Chelsea will soon discuss the transfer in person with Shakhtar director of football Darijo Srna.

The chief is preparing to travel to London this week. He will be meeting Chelsea officials as well as those at Arsenal, as he is giving both clubs a fair opportunity to strike a deal.

Arsenal have the upper hand when it comes to Mudryk himself, as the forward wants to join them over Chelsea. But Boehly’s huge spending power may ultimately decide where he ends up.

Meanwhile, a shock Man Utd move for a former Arsenal player has been shut down by Romano.