14 January 2023 , 12:30
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Arsenal transfer guru Edu is reportedly flying to Poland to finalise a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk amid hints from Shakhtar Donetsk on social media that an agreement has been struck.
The Gunners have been locked in talks for weeks with Shakhtar in a bid to thrash out a deal for Mudryk, who was earmarked as Mikel Arteta's top target ahead of the January transfer window.
Mudryk, 22, has made no secret of the fact that he would like to link up with the Premier League leaders and has dropped numerous hints on social media in recent weeks. After rebuffing two bids for their prized asset already this month, it emerged on Friday that Shakhtar and Arsenal were close to finalising an agreement that would see Mudryk move to the Emirates.
A fresh report from Sport Arena has claimed that Edu has now jetted off to Warsaw, where Shakhtar's management are currently located in a bid to finalise terms.
It is believed that Arsenal's latest proposal for Mudryk could eclipse £80million with various add-ons and bonuses, with the two clubs just needing to agree on how the deal will be structured to finalise a deal.
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Edu's journey to Poland has coincided with a number of mischievous tweets from Shakhtar's official English Twitter account. One post, which sent Arsenal fans into overdrive, read: "We prepared some news for you today."
Join the debate! Do you think Mudryk would be a good signing for Arsenal? Let us know here.
Arsenal chief Edu is attempting to finalise a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk (David Price/Arsenal)Shakhtar's social media antics follow on from Mudryk's own hints. The sought-after winger, who has also been linked with Chelsea, has shared a number of cryptic messages over recent weeks amid numerous reports of bids in the media.
After news emerged of Arsenal's third bid, Mudryk shared an emoji on his Instagram story of two hands praying, indicating that he was hopeful an agreement could finally be struck.
Ahead of Sunday's huge north London derby, Arteta was asked about progress over a deal for Mudryk on Friday and was asked what he made of the winger's cheeky social media posts.
The Spaniard couldn't stop himself from breaking into a smile but was reluctant to delve too much into the deal. He said: "What I would say is how good I am with the phone.
"You know we cannot talk about any other players. There is some interest on some things that we would like to do to improve the team because we are a bit short in certain areas and with injuries that we picked up.
"But we are trying as a club we are determined to try and improve the team in every window and that’ what we are trying to do."