Arsenal ‘still following’ £55m player having previously held ‘positive talks’ over transfer move

Arsenal could be set for a busy January transfer window as Mikel Arteta’s looks to strengthen his first team squad and keep up their push in the Premier League title race.

The Gunners suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion last night which saw them eliminated from the EFL Cup and will take on Wolves at the weekend in what will be their final fixture before domestic football goes on hiatus for the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar. The Premier League will return over the festive period with two more rounds of matches and then the transfer window will be open for clubs to do business. With that date fast approaching, Arsenal continue to be linked with one of the brightest young players in European football.

Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk is thought to be a key target for the North London club as the 21-year old Ukrainian continues to demonstrate his class for his club, particularly in the Champions League, and on the international stage. A recent report from Give Me Sport has provided an update on Arsenal’s pursuit of the player, referencing multiple sources.

The article notes that journalist Dean Jones claims the Gunners are ‘willing to pay’ Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price for Mudryk. That fee currently sits somewhere in the region of €60m to €65m (roughly £52m to £56m) accoridng to Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The journalist noted that Arsenal had held positive talks with the player in the summer but decided not to pursue a move due to his then asking price which was considerably lower, reportedly between €40m and €45m.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: “We know they wanted a winger. Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible to proceed. 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. Now Shakhtar want more than €60m to €65m but Arsenal are still following the player.”

Mudryk has been in excellent form for club and country this season, scoring eight goals in 16 games across all competitions. The 21-year old has spent his entire senior career with Shakhtar Donetsk, establishing himself as a first team regular in 2021 after two loan spells away from the club. On the international stage, the winger has won eight caps for the Ukraine men’s national side.