Arsenal could reportedly sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk by the end of this week.
THE LOWDOWN: BACK TO WINNING WAYS
The Gunners were back to winning ways on Monday night, beating West Ham United 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium as the Premier League made its return on Boxing Day.
Goals from Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Eddie Nketiah were enough to take all three points after the home side went 1-0 down in the first half through a Said Benrahma penalty.
THE LATEST: ARSENAL ‘WELL PLACED’ TO SIGN MUDRYK
As per Football Insider, Arsenal are ‘well placed’ to sign Mudryk ‘this week’ and are ‘increasingly confident’ of finalising a quick deal.
They have submitted an official bid in excess of £45m to try and prise him away from Ukraine, which includes bonuses and add-ons based on appearances, but the package ‘falls short’ of the £60m+ asking price from Shakhtar.
The Donetsk club have ‘accepted’ that they will have to sell Mudryk in January, and Mikel Arteta‘s side are in the ‘driving seat’ to secure his signature, with a ‘full agreement’ pushed for ‘in the next days’.
Arteta has personally given the ‘green light’ to sanction a move and wants a deal done as soon as possible with the opening of the January transfer window fast approaching.
THE VERDICT: HE’D BE A BIG SIGNING
Mudryk would certainly be a big signing for Arsenal, assuming that the Gunners are able to get a deal over the line.
Following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, the north Londoners are in need of more firepower to cover for his absence, as their attacking options off the bench looked particularly slim against the Hammers.
Mudryk is enjoying a breakthrough season in his homeland, with ten goals and eight assists in 18 matches across all competitions so far this season, including five goal contributions in the Champions League (Transfermarkt).
At 21 years of age, he is the right profile of player to grow with fellow young talents Saka, Martinelli and the rest of the Arsenal squad, and signing him in January would give Arteta and co extra hope that they can lift the Premier League trophy at the end of the campaign.
