Arsenal have the framework of a deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk in place for significantly less than previously reported, according to new claims.
The Athletic recently reported that Shakhtar Donetsk are warning potential suitors for Mykhaylo Mudryk that they value him at €100m, adding that Arsenal are one of the clubs monitoring the 21-year-old.
The rumours even made it back to the player, who complained that he was “shocked” and felt “100% sure” that potential suitors “are unlikely to buy a player from the UPL for €100m”.
But perhaps the real market price for Mudryk is much less than those reports suggest.
Ben Jacobs claimed earlier this week that whilst Shakhtar are publicly asking for €100m, they’re privately open to offers closer to €60-65m (£51.7-£56m).
After that, the Mirror reported that Shakhtar might even accept an initial fee of £40m, plus add-ons. You’d imagine those add-ons would bring the price close to the fee Jacobs had suggested.
The Mirror add that Arsenal are set to win the race for Mudryk, with the framework of a deal in place for him. The player is reportedly keen to link up with his Ukraine teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko in north London.
Mudryk’s agent Oleksiy Alyokhin suggested that the January window could be the right time for the winger to leave Shakhtar.
“It can be seen with the naked eye that he outgrew the championship of Ukraine a long time ago and is ready to perform at a more serious level,” Alyokhin said. “He needs to progress.
“And in my opinion, now is the best time for it. I think everyone will benefit from this. Shakhtar, the national team of Ukraine, and the player himself.”
Fabrizio Romano recently claimed that Arsenal remain interested in Mudryk, having followed the winger for a long time.
David Ornstein confirmed for The Athletic in August that Mudryk was among Arsenal’s candidates for a wide-forward signing before they ultimately shifted to the pursuit of a midfielder.