Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin jokes with teammate Mykhaylo Mudryk in training that he’s ‘already at Arsenal’.
Regularly linked with a move to Arsenal over the last few months, Mykhaylo Mudryk is well aware of the transfer speculation, not least because his teammates often joke about it.
Shakhtar Donetsk goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin told the media this week that they often tease Mudryk for the rumours.
“I like that he is focused only on himself, his and the team’s game,” Trubin said. “Fans don’t really see that much. No one sees what he is doing away from the football field.
“All these transfer rumours affect him only in a positive way, because he enjoys what he does. And, in the team, we can tell him; ‘well, you’re already at Arsenal, let’s all go!’”
Ben Jacobs reported in October that Arsenal are one of the clubs interested in Mudryk ahead of the January transfer window, though they didn’t make a bid in the summer.
Fabrizio Romano had claimed that Shakhtar wanted €50m to sell Mudryk in the winter window – or at least €40m plus add-ons, but he’d now cost as much as €60-65m. It seems Shakhtar may now be holding out for even more.
“Is €40m enough to buy him? We do not speak to these figures,” Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Carlo Nicolini said recently.
“Not even for €50m, we don’t even call the president to communicate the offer. We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100m.
“We are not obliged to sell…in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money.”
Romano previously reported that Arsenal explored the conditions of a deal on the player’s side in August, but it didn’t lead to a late bid as the Gunners focused on signing a midfielder.
David Ornstein confirmed for The Athletic that Mudryk was among Arsenal’s candidates for a wide-forward signing before that ultimately unsuccessful shift to a pursuit of a midfield signing.
Mudryk has scored seven goals and assisted seven in his 12 appearances this season.
Speaking about a potential transfer to the Premier League recently, Mudryk admitted it’s a dream of his, and he wouldn’t be able to turn Arsenal down.
“Every guy dreams it (playing in the Premier League),” Mudryk said. “Arsenal are a very good team, very good coach, I like the way they play.
“From my side, I can’t say no (if Arsenal made an offer). But transfers are not only my decision and my word.
“In winter, we will see. There were a lot of discussions about the transfer, about clubs who want me. But it’s normal. Now, I’m in Shakhtar and I want to play in this team. I love this team.”