02 January 2023 , 16:52
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Arsenal have reportedly submitted a second offer to Shakhtar Donetsk for winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The 21-year-old is Arsenal’s number one transfer target for the January transfer window and the club are making progress on completing the deal. Mudryk is keen on a move to north London this month and agreed personal terms with the Gunners over the weekend.
Arsenal have already seen a £55million bid rejected by Shakhtar, who have publicly stated that they value their star player at £85m. Gunners sporting director Edu has not been deterred by that stance and has submitted a second improved bid, according to the Evening Standard.
Mykhaylo Mudryk could leave Shakhtar Donetsk for Arsenal (Getty Images)The first bid which was knocked back by Shakhtar included £20m in add-ons. Arsenal hope that by restructuring their offer they can come to an agreement with the Ukrainian club, with Mudryk himself not shy in expressing his desire to move to the Premier League.
He has been scouted extensively by many of Europe’s biggest clubs, having contributed 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this campaign, but Arsenal are in pole position. Shakhtar are not in talks with any other clubs and have publicly expressed their openness to selling in January.
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"Talks for Mudryk are on,” chief executive Sergei Palkin said on Thursday. “We receive offers but not the ones we would like to see on our table. I'll speak again to Arsenal. So, yes, we are open to discussing fees and ideas.
Mykhaylo Mudryk is keen on joining Arsenal (Mikolaj Barbanell/Getty Images)HAVE YOUR SAY! Would Mykhaylo Mudryk be a good signing for Arsenal this month? Comment below.
"If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time. Now, literally in five minutes, I will have a new phone call conversation with Arsenal for the Mykhaylo Mudryk deal."
Mikel Arteta, in contrast, has kept his cards close to his chest so far. "I cannot talk about players that are not ours," he said in his press conference before the trip to Brighton on New Year’s Eve. The Gunners’ 4-2 win over the Seagulls was watched by Mudryk, who appears to be doing his homework on the club.
He posted a picture of his screen on Instagram, along with the caption “2 top coach”. The words referred to Arsenal’s Arteta and Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi, whom he worked under at Shakhtar last year.
Murdryk has also used his Instagram to share a compilation video showing his best goals and skills of 2022. The video is set to the song ‘Circo Loco’ by rappers 21 Savage and Drake, which includes the lyrics: “Still gotta see the Gunners win Premier League.”
“I think every guy dreams about the Premier League,” he recently told CBS Sports. “Arsenal is a very good team with a very good coach. I like the way they play. Yes, it would be hard to say no from my side. I can't say no but the transfer is not only my decision and my word.”