Arsenal could reportedly drop their interest in Shakhtar Donetsk superstar Mykhaylo Mudryk with the Ukrainian club demanding close to £100m for their prized winger.
According to Football London, the north London side might pull out of the race to sign the 21-year-old following reports that Shakhtar want as much as £100m for Mudryk, with the Athletic recently reporting that the youngster is Arsenal’s top target for January.
As per Football London, a winger and a central midfielder are Arsenal’s two main priorities in the winter window, with Mudryk a player many supporters are hopeful Mikel Arteta can sign after having a long-standing interest in the Ukrainian international.
With ten goals and eight assists in all competitions this season for Shakhtar, the attacker has been one of the breakout stars in Europe this campaign, and as a result, transfer interest is sky-high in Mudryk heading into the January window.
Yet whilst Arsenal have largely been the leading side in the chase for Mudryk, this latest update could hint that Arteta is having second doubts over the 21-year-old given how expensive the winger could be to sign.
Indeed, Nicolas Pepe’s £72m move to Arsenal in 2019 remains the club’s most expensive signing, whilst Ben White’s arrival last year at £50m is the most Arteta has spent on a single transfer since becoming manager of the Gunners, which explains why there could be some hesitancy over Mudryk.
Arsenal interest in Mykhaylo Mudryk could dry up due to £100m price
£100m transfers have been on the rise in football since Neymar’s move to PSG in 2017 broke the transfer market and inflated player fees to unprecedented levels, and for Arsenal, the north London club have to be certain over someone if they’re to spend this much in a single deal.
After all, whilst Mudryk is a great talent and would add a lot of value to the north London side’s squad, the winger is reasonably expected to provide cover for the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, a role that doesn’t warrant a £100m transfer in the slightest.
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