Arsenal want Mykhaylo Mudryk but one data analyst has suggested that a smart club would avoid a January deal for the winger.
The Gunners are in the market for another wide man with Nicolas Pepe unlikely to play for the club again.
The injury to Gabriel Jesus may even accelerate Arsenal’s plans to sign a winger given that Gabriel Martinelli can play up front.
There have been multiple names linked with that role, such as Facundo Torres and Marco Asensio, but Mudryk is undoubtedly the favourite.
Arsenal want Mykhaylo Mudryk
Shakhtar Donetsk wide man Mudryk, 21, has become one of the most in-demand wingers in Europe this season.
Mudryk excelled in the Champions League and was even clocked as the fastest player in the group stage.
The Ukrainian has racked up 10 goals and eight assists in just 18 games for Shakhtar this season.
Arsenal have been linked with Mudryk for months now – even before he played in the Champions League this season.
Reports lately have given mixed signals on a move to Arsenal.
The Mirror claim that Arsenal already have a rough deal agreed with Shakhtar for Mudryk to join in a £40million move.
Yet CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs claims that whilst Arsenal think Mudryk wants to join, Mikel Arteta hasn’t yet decided on a move.
Mudryk does appear interested in a move to Arsenal but much will depend on Shakhtar’s asking price.
Everybody has been raving about Mudryk but one recruitment guru isn’t sure about making a January move.
Mladen Sormaz – the former Head of Analytics at Leicester City – has told The Athletic that signing players on small samples is a huge risk.
Sormaz highlighted Mudryk as a ‘perfect example of your nightmare scenario’ given that he has played very little football in his career so far.
Sormaz believes that ‘smarter clubs’ would probably wait on Mudryk and anybody making a move for him in January is a real risk.
“Ukraine didn’t get to the World Cup but the kid (Mykhaylo) Mudryk at (Shakhtar Donetsk),” says Sormaz. “He’s had a good Champions League , but had he not had those games and just had a good run of form at a World Cup, he would be the perfect example of your nightmare scenario where you say, ‘I think this guy’s really good but… ’. He’s made under 30 senior appearances in his career. That’s a situation where the smarter clubs would probably wait. But someone might take a risk,” he added.
Sormaz has a point here.
Mudryk looks so exciting but for somebody turning 22 in January, he hasn’t played all that many games.
Mudryk is such a threat in open space on the counter attack but still needs to be developed in terms of breaking down low blocks.
There is big potential in Mudryk but paying over £50million would be a case of gambling on him rounding out his game.
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