Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin has confirmed they’re holding further talks with Arsenal over Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Ukrainian media confident in an eventual deal.

Speaking in quotes reported by the official Shakhtar Donetsk website, club CEO Sergei Palkin revealed that negotiations for Mykhaylo Mudryk are ongoing, and he’s holding talks with Arsenal.

“Negotiations are continuing,” Palkin said. “We receive offers, but they are not the ones we would like to see on our table.

“Now, literally in 5 minutes, I will have a phone conversation with Arsenal. We are open to negotiations, ready to exchange ideas and figures.

“If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time.”

Shakhtar have already rejected one offer from Arsenal, reportedly a total of €65m with €40m as the initial fixed fee and €25m in add-ons.

But club vice director Carlo Nicolini told the media that figure is “not enough”, adding: “Our director said that we need a bid closer to Grealish fee than Antony to sell Mudryk. We’re not even considering a bid with €40m as a fixed fee.”

Despite the media posturing, it seems Shakhtar are edging closer to an agreement with Arsenal. Ukrainian outlet SportArena report that most likely, the two clubs will be able to close a deal, with Mudryk’s desire for the move an important factor.

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

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.