CONFIRMED: Arsenal could sign ‘unstoppable’ attacker likened to Haaland for less than £55m in January – journalist
Arsenal have been heavily linked with Shakhtar Donetsk’s Mykhaylo Mudryk in recent months.
And with the January transfer window approaching, speculation linking the Gunners with the 21-year-old has been intensifying further.
Indeed, Shakhtar vice-president Carlo Nicolini has admitted that “there is interest from Arsenal” in Mudryk.
The player himself has said he’d like to play for the Gunners, and has expressed his desire to join a top club soon.
Now, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport that Arsenal could potentially land Mudryk for as little as £53million.
This is despite Shakhtar saying they value the Ukraine international at £88million.
Jacobs believes the Gunners could head to the negotiating table with a proposal worth even less than £53million.
Then, as the two clubs thrash out a deal, add-ons could see the fee reach that amount.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “They’ve never had a history of paying above the odds and they’ve never had a history of panic buying. So it’s now about whether they can agree a fee with Shakhtar.
“Sources are saying privately that fee will be €60-65million (£53-57m) if Arsenal get their way at the top end.
“Arsenal’s starting point will be even lower than that as well. And the way forward, as ever with these kinds of deals, will be around the structure.
“Arsenal are definitely not going to put down anywhere close to €100million.
“But what they might do is put down €50-60million with some gettable add-ons and even potentially a sell-on percentage to Shakhtar should they eventually let him go elsewhere.”
Arsenal have the perfect opportunity to strike gold – our View
Mudryk has been sensational over the past 12 months or so. He certainly looks like he’s ready for a big career move.
And he has made no secret of the fact he likes Arsenal. Which is obviously great news for Edu and Mikel Arteta.
In terms of rival suitors, the Gunners certainly have the advantage.
However, Shakhtar won’t make it easy for them in terms of striking a deal (and rightfully so, as he’s a big asset for them).
Mudryk, branded as ‘unstoppable’, is a really exciting player who has earned comparisons with the likes of Erling Haaland, Sadio Mane and Son Heung-min.
Arsenal really have the perfect opportunity to strike gold over the coming weeks. And they must do all they can to sign him.
