Chelsea are set to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, despite links to Arsenal throughout the last month.

Shakhtar Donetsk's Ukranian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk takes part in a team training session at Celtic Park in Glasgow on October 24, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Celtic. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukranian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk takes part in a team training session at Celtic Park in Glasgow on October 24, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Celtic. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

On Saturday, Arsenal were confident of an imminent deal to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, with reports suggesting the Gunners would pay an upfront fee of over £50m (€56m) rising to as much as £80m (€90m) with add-ons.

David Ornstein reported that this was as high as Arsenal would go, and it was up to Shakhtar Donetsk whether or not to agree to those terms.

Then Chelsea entered the fray, with multiple board members flying to Turkey to agree a deal. Before long, they had an agreement with Shakhtar for an upfront fee of €70m, rising to €100m with add-ons.

In addition, Chelsea were willing to offer a seven-year contract to the player, more than Arsenal’s five, and more than double the wages Arsenal were offering.

Ben Jacobs reports that Mudryk nonetheless held off, asking whether Arsenal would match Chelsea’s offer. But he was told the Gunners wouldn’t pay €100m.

Mudryk chose to join Chelsea over staying at Shakhtar, even if it meant missing out on his “dream move” to Arsenal.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: Mykhaylo Mudryk of Ukraine warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park on June 01, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: Mykhaylo Mudryk of Ukraine warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup Qualifier match between Scotland and Ukraine at Hampden Park on June 01, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Sam Dean reports that Arsenal were never going to be drawn into a bidding war with Chelsea. They had a valuation and they stuck to it, and they’re reportedly surprised at the size and nature of Chelsea’s bid.

Mudryk is now holding a medical at Chelsea, and he’s set to attend their match against Crystal Palace later on Sunday.

Though not officially confirmed just yet, the deal is effectively done, and Arsenal need to move on to other targets.