Gianluca Di Marzio told SoccerNews.nl that Arsenal are leading the race to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.
“At the moment, Arsenal are trying to sign him because they know they have a very talented player,” Di Marzio explained. “But whether it will also work in January… I don’t know.
“It is certain that they are in pole position to capture him. However, Shakhtar is a difficult negotiating partner, and they are likely to demand around 35 million euros for him.”
That €35 million figure is far from what other sources claim.
Shakhtar has publicly stated that they want €100 million, and while David Ornstein has stated that they are willing to negotiate for much less, a €65 million discount seems a bit far-fetched.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Arsenal are interested in Mudryk, and that while they have not yet made a bid for the winger, they are in direct talks about a fair fee.
Romano adds that the player is eager, which is supported by numerous other sources. Ornstein previously stated that Mudryk is so eager to get a deal that he may even push for a move.
After talks in London this week, Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin spoke to the media about the possibility of a January deal.
“To be honest, I’m not sure,” Palkin admitted. “Right now, we’re a long way from what we want and what clubs propose. It is not far, but it is not what we require. We are having discussions. They bargain with one club after another. We’re working on it.
“Is it going to close this month? I’m not sure. The winter transfer window is probably a coin flip. I don’t want to get into numbers right now. We’re talking about it. We have some English clubs interested, and we are in the process.”
According to Tariq Panja, Shakhtar Donetsk representatives were in London this week, and negotiations for Mudryk are ongoing with at least four clubs.
Panja claims there’s no sign of an imminent breakthrough and talks could drag on beyond the January window.
Oleksiy Alyokhin, the winger’s agent, has suggested that the January transfer window could be a good time for him to leave Shakhtar.
“It is clear to the naked eye that he outgrew the Ukrainian championship a long time ago and is ready to perform at a higher level,” Alyokhin said. “He needs to advance.
“And, in my opinion, the time has come. This will, I believe, benefit everyone. Shakhtar, Ukraine’s national team, and the player himself.”
Mudryk has 10 goals and eight assists in 18 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk this season, including five goals and five assists in six Champions League games.
