Mikel Arteta wants to sign a winger who can make an immediate impact. Reports say that Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhailo Mudryk is the main target of him.
The report adds that Shakhtar’s public statement that they “expect to receive £88m for his services” is the stumbling block in Arsenal’s way of signing Mudryk.
Mudryk has performed admirably this season but has yet to play regularly, suggesting Arsenal “do not intend to go that high” with their offers.
The Ukrainian winger is one of the sought-after talents. Shakhtar know this and are in no mood to let the Ukraine international go cheap.
Who is Mykhailo Mudryk?
Mudryk, a Ukraine international, has attracted a lot of interest from top European clubs. This is due to his performance for Shakhtar, who paid €100m (£87m) before the start of the year. After acquiring international teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko in the summer, Arsenal seemed to have prioritized the striker.
The Gunners’ initial offer was less than the high asking price. Although Shakhtar can still look forward to more, the Ukrainian giants now have the upper hand.
The offer, according to other reports, could be worth up to 60 million euros, including add-ons. This would set a record for a Ukrainian club sale – Shakhtar sold Fred to Manchester United in 2018. The Guardian says Shakhtar still want more than £80m, so the offer is well below what they want. .
When you consider that most of Ukraine’s top flight’s biggest sales belong to foreign players, the amount of the reported fee becomes more apparent. The most expensive offer for a Ukrainian player from a Ukrainian club is the 25 million euros that brought protector Dmytro Chygrynskyy to Barcelona in 2009, a total equaled when Andriy Yarmolenko joined Borussia Dortmund eight years later.
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Mudryk acknowledged that he was shocked by the figures mentioned above. He also explained his position and spoke of his dedication to Shakhtar.
Mudryk on moving to Arsenal
Mudryk revealed to Sport Arena in November: “I have a long-term contract with Shakhtar [set to expire in December 2026].” Every footballer aspires to play in a top club and in a top championship, and I am no exception. I give Shakhtar everything I have.
I am 100% sure that they are unlikely to buy a Ukrainian championship player for $100 million. My aspirational rise to the top championship is hampered by the sum of 100 million. My dream was definitely hurt, but I can’t say that he died.”
Mudryk, who turns 22 in January, made his senior debut in September 2021. Since then, he has made significant progress under new coach Igor Jovicevic. The striker has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions, including Champions League efforts against Celtic at home and away.
