Arsenal have reportedly held ‘positive talks’ with Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The club had previously looked at the Ukrainian’s availability but decided not to bring him to the Emirates due, in part, to his £45m price tag.
But the Italian journalist has delivered promising update for Arsenal fans, claiming the 21-year-old could be close to a move to North London within the next few months.
‘We know they [Arsenal] wanted a winger. Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible to proceed,’ Romano said on his YouTube channel.
‘They have had very positive contacts on Mudryk on the player’s side, but then they decided not to proceed with Shakhtar because they wanted more than £40m to £45m.’
The London side seem to be in the market for a new winger, after failing to secure the signature of Raphinha from Leeds, while also being linked with Pedro Neto this summer.
Interestingly, it seems Shakhtar now want more for their promising young talent and according to the reporter, may ask for more than £60m for him.
‘Now Shakhtar want more than £60m to £65m,’ Romano continued. ‘But Arsenal are still following the player.
‘They consider Mudryk a top talent and so Arsenal are still there but let’s see because now the race is open with many top clubs, but Arsenal will be busy in the next few weeks.’
Mudryk, who ironically played for Arsenal Kyiv in the early parts of his career, has seven goals in 14 appearances this season for Shakhtar, which includes three goals in the Champions League.
He also has eight caps for the Ukrainian national side and would link up well in the Gunners midfield with compatriot Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Arsenal fans will also be excited to hear that he has previously expressed his desire to join the club, saying to CBS: ‘I think every player dreams about the Premier League.
‘It’s hard to say [which team he’d like to join] but Arsenal is a very good team, very good coach, I like the way they play.’
When asked whether he would like to make a move to the Emirates, he added: ‘From my side, I can’t say no [to Arsenal]. But the transfer is not only my decision.’
Credit: dailymail.co.uk
