Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Ukrainian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk after submitting a third formal bid, sources have told Football Insider.
The Premier League leaders have already agreed personal terms with the Shakhtar Donetsk sensation but the potential deal has been held up due to negotiations over the fee.
Arsenal are close to securing a breakthrough in talks after lodging a third offer for Mudryk, 21, on Thursday night of around £65million.
Negotiations are now centring on the structure of add-ons, with Shakhtar holding out for total package worth up to £80m.
Arsenal have been boosted by Mudryk’s desire to join them ahead of Chelsea despite being offered what one source said was a “huge” contract by the west London club.
The Londoners are pushing hard to finalise a deal this weekend and have put their medical team on stand-by for a medical if an agreement can be secured.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is keen for the deal to be completed as soon as possible, so the wide forward can be integrated into his high-flying side.
Shakhtar have publicly valued Mudryk at £88m, in response to the deals taking Jack Grealish to Manchester City (from Aston Villa) and Antony to Manchester United (from Ajax).
However, the Ukranian club have accepted they will have to sell Mudryk, even though he has a contract until 2026.
Shakhtar finished third in their Champions League group, dropping into the Europa League, on the back of a series of dazzling displays from the winger.
He combined five goals and assists in six groups and convinced his English suitors to make a move for him.
Mudryk, is a long-term target for Arsenal and has publicly declared his interest in joining them on multiple occasions.
