Shakhtar Donetsk Ukranian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk gives a press conference on the eve of their UEFA Champions League 1st round day 3 group F football match against Real Madrid, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on October 4, 2022.(Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images)

Mykhaylo Mudryk sends another hint over Arsenal move

Jan 1, 2023

Mykhaylo Mudryk seemed to be sending another hint to Shakhtar Donetsk on Saturday, posting as he watched an Arsenal match again.

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) — GLASGOW, SCOTLAND: 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. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

As Arsenal took on Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday, key transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk was watching on.

The winger posted on Instagram with a picture of Mikel Arteta and Robert De Zerbi during the game, captioning it: “2 top coach”

Mudryk previously worked with De Zerbi at Shakhtar Donetsk, and the Brighton boss tipped him for eventual Ballon d’Or success in a press conference this week, so the two clearly have a lot of respect for each other.

But it seems the Shakhtar forward also rates Mikel Arteta highly, as the Arsenal coach pushes to bring him to north London.

This isn’t the first time Mudryk has posted on social media to show he’s watching Arsenal play. He also shared a clip as he watched Eddie Nketiah score against West Ham United on Monday.

Ukraine's midfielder Mykhaylo Mudryk reacts during the friendly football match between German first division Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach and Ukraine's national football team on May 11, 2022. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images) — Ukraine’s midfielder Mykhaylo Mudryk reacts during the friendly football match between German first-division Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach and Ukraine’s national football team on May 11, 2022. (Photo by INA FASSBENDER/AFP via Getty Images)

Recent reports suggest that negotiations between Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk over Mudryk have continued this week, and the Gunners are optimistic about an eventual deal for the winger.

Another bid for Mudryk is expected, with Arsenal yet to reach an agreement to sign him.

Shakhtar may reportedly accept €80-85m, with Arsenal’s opening bid coming to €65m in total, so the difference in valuations is around €15-20m right now.

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.