GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - OCTOBER 25: Mykhaylo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk celebrates scoring their side's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Celtic FC and Shakhtar Donetsk at Celtic Park on October 25, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Arsenal close to agreement to sign their top January target

Jan 13, 2023

Arsenal have submitted a new bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk and are now close to agreeing a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer.

Leipzig's Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai (L) and Shakhtar Donetsk's Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig in Warsaw, on November 2, 2022. (Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) — Leipzig’s Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai (L) and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk vie for the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Shakhtar Donetsk and RB Leipzig in Warsaw, on November 2, 2022. (Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

On Thursday night, Fabrizio Romano reported that Arsenal had submitted a new bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk, valued at €70m plus add-ons.

Romano added that talks are ongoing with no breakthrough yet, but the two parties are now getting closer.

Ukrainian outlet Sport Arena confirmed the new bid, reiterating that Mudryk has already agreed personal terms with Arsenal.

The Times write that Arsenal have already had bids of £55m and £62m turned down, and their new offer is closer to £70m with add-ons.

Sam Dean of The Telegraph reports that Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk are now finally close to agreeing a deal. Talks are focused on the structure of the fee and add-ons, rather than the size of the guaranteed payment.

The Daily Mail and the Evening Standard also claim there’s growing confidence that Arsenal and Shakhtar are close to a deal.

Charles Watts writes for Goal that Arsenal are now hopeful of that deal, again confirming that negotiations are now focused on the structure of the deal, rather than the initial fee. A deal is now reportedly closer than ever.

Shakhtar Donetsk's Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk celebrates scoring the 1-1 goal during UEFA Champions League Group F between Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic FC in Warsaw on September 14, 2022. (Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) — Shakhtar Donetsk’s Ukrainian forward Mykhailo Mudryk celebrates scoring the 1-1 goal during UEFA Champions League Group F between Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic FC in Warsaw on September 14, 2022. (Photo by JANEK SKARZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

While he waits for the two clubs to agree a fee for his transfer, Mudryk has joined up with the Shakhtar Donetsk squad for their training camp in Turkey. The Ukrainian league is currently on its winter break.

But Mudryk seemed to be hinting at something on his Instagram page on Thursday night, posting a praying emoji.

Mykhaylo Mudryk on his Instagram story on Thursday night

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.