In October, Shakhtar Donetsk’s deputy vice chairman warned any of the clubs looking to take Mykhaylo Mudryk away from the Ukrainian giants would have to pay a fee similar to the £85 million Manchester United handed Ajax for Brazil international Antony.
Now, long-term admirers Arsenal were never likely to slap 100 million euros down onto Carlo Nicolini’s desk straight away. But with Calciomercato reporting that the Gunners have started the bidding at around £52 million, time will tell whether Shakhtar are true to their word.
Per Fabrizio Romano, a bid in the region of £60 million may be enough to tempt Shakhtar into a sale. Hefty, yes, but some way less than the Antony fee; Nicolini’s comments potentially just an attempt to drive up Mudryk’s price-tag.
So while Arsenal’s first offer will likely fall short, a second, improved bid might just do the trick.
Arsenal reportedly offer £52 million for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk
“Mudryk is now the most fashionable young football player in Eastern Europe. Real Madrid are really interested in him. Really,” Ukrainian reporter Igor Tsyganyk tells Football Hub.. “Arsenal also. There has also been some contact and there are some informal conversations with (the Gunners).
“In addition, as far as I understand, Shakhtar are seriously considering the option of renewing Mudryk’s contract. There are three real options; Arsenal, Real Madrid and a new contract at Shakhtar.”
If the rumours are true, and Arsenal are offering upwards of £50 million for a 21-year-old officially recorded as the fastest player in this season’s Champions League, then Tsyganyk’s claims look all the more prescient.
Everton, Romano says, failed with a £25 million bid in January. The likes of Leeds United, Brentford and Brighton also watched Mudryk during September’s clash between Ukraine and Scotland (90Min).
Since then, Mudryk’s reputation, not to mention his price-tag, have gone through the roof. The inevitable by-product of some truly ‘exceptional‘ Champions League displays. Plus a career-best run of goals and assists in Shakhtar’s orange-and-black. If Mudryk felt affordable to the likes of Leeds and Everton a few months ago, the same cannot be said now. Not with £52 million on the table; a fee neither club look capable of matching.
Now, as Tsyganyk predicted, only the game’s most deep-pocketed of clubs can afford ‘the most fashionable young player in Eastern Europe’.
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