Arsenal’s opening bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk has been rejected, but talks are set to continue and the Gunners are reportedly confident.

The Telegraph reported on Tuesday that Arsenal’s initial bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk, in the region of £55m including add-ons, had been rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk.

Negotiations are ongoing, and there’s a growing expectation within the game that a deal will eventually be agreed if Arsenal are willing to raise their offer.

Mudryk is keen on the move, and the Gunners are hoping to add the winger as competition for Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, given he can play on either side.

The Athletic confirm that Shakhtar have rejected Arsenal’s initial offer, and that talks will continue for the club’s “primary target” in the January window.

Mark Irwin of The S*n reports that Arsenal are now confident of bringing Mudryk in, and Fabrizio Romano claims the Gunners are still in contact with both Shakhtar and the player’s camp.

Arsenal had offered a fee in the region of €40m (£35.3m) upfront, with a further €25m (£22m) in add-ons.

Adam Crafton wrote at the time that there may be a deal if Arsenal get their bid closer to €85-90m, which would be an extra €20-25m.

Mudryk has made it very clear what he’s hoping for, with his social media activity.

First, he liked a post reporting Arsenal’s bid for him. Then, he posted a clip of himself watching the Gunners’ game against West Ham, as Eddie Nketiah scored the third.

https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1607490738052558848

Currently on a winter break with Shakhtar, Mudryk has scored 10 goals and assisted eight in 18 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk this season, including five goals and assists in his six Champions League appearances.