Fabrizio Romano uncovers stunning Chelsea mission to hijack Arsenal move for Mudryk with ‘official bid’ ready to blow rivals away
Chelsea are trying once again to prevent Arsenal winning the race to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Mudryk has been a major target for Arsenal for several months. However, more recently, they have been facing competition from Chelsea for his signature. But the winger has been holding out for a move to Arsenal still.
And confidence has been rising that he could end up at the Emirates Stadium in recent days. Mudryk has been posing in an Arsenal shirt and reports have followed indicating that they can wrap up a deal soon.
Their technical director Edu has been in Poland, where Shakhtar are currently training, to thrash out a deal. In turn, an agreement worth £50million plus bonuses of up to £30million has been believed to be close.
But now, transfer expert Romano has uncovered a sensational twist, with Chelsea interfering once more.
The Italian journalist has revealed that Chelsea have also sent officials to Poland. Now, they are ready to try and outbid Arsenal with an official proposal.
Romano tweeted that they are aiming to reach a “verbal agreement” with Shakhtar. They are going to make an “official bid” that will come close to €100million (£88.7million).
Arsenal’s package comes to €5million less, since they are only going up to €95million (£84.2million) with bonuses included.
Chelsea aiming for Mudryk agreement
Explaining the situation in more depth via his YouTube channel, Romano said: “Chelsea are on a mission in Poland, where Shakhtar are with their training camp, to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk.
“Chelsea are now in talks with Shakhtar, very advanced talks, to reach an agreement on the fee of the deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk. But also, Chelsea will try to focus, of course, on the player side.
“We know that Arsenal are more in advanced talks because in the last few days Arsenal made a third bid, €70million plus 25 in add-ons. Shakhtar and Arsenal were also speaking today about this bid.
“But then Chelsea arrived in Poland to negotiate with Shakhtar and to try to reach an agreement between clubs and then negotiate with the player.”
The reporter added: “Chelsea are trying to reach an agreement on player side but we know that the player priority has always been Arsenal. Mudryk dreams of Arsenal.
“So let’s see how the conversation between Chelsea and Mudryk will go, and let’s see what Mudryk will do with Arsenal.
“So now the player position will be crucial. But Chelsea are in Poland to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk.
“Arsenal are still in contact with Shakhtar so let’s see if they will get this deal over the line. But the negotiation is entering its really crucial moments, the really crucial hours, because Chelsea are now back into the Mudryk game.
“But also important to say that Arsenal has always been leading the race and they have an agreement with the player since long time.
“So, what Mudryk will do, what Shakhtar will do now in these negotiations, is going to be really important.
“But Chelsea are back into it and the feeling around the deal is this is a crucial weekend to understand what happens for Mykhaylo Mudryk, with Chelsea involved, with Arsenal also of course involved, with player side really important.”
Winger has big choice to make
Mudryk has scored 10 goals and provided eight assists from 18 appearances for Shakhtar this season.
Chelsea are the lowest scoring team in the top half of the Premier League at present. Therefore, it would benefit them to add to their attack while they have the chance.
But Arsenal might be a more appealing destination at present, since they are currently top of the league. Although Champions League football isn’t on offer there yet, it should be by next season at this rate.
Chelsea are seemingly heading in the opposite direction, but are trying to make an impression in the transfer market. Under the ownership of Todd Boehly, they have already spent heavily on several signings.
They have been keen to construct a squad for the future. At the age of 22, Mudryk would fit in with their policy.
Costing €100million, he would be their second most expensive signing of all time after Romelu Lukaku. If he joins Arsenal instead, he will surpass Nicolas Pepe as their own record recruit.
As Romano has acknowledged, this weekend should provide some more clarity as to where Mudryk will be playing his football next.
