Shakhtar Donetsk have now slashed their asking price to sell Mykhaylo Mudryk to Arsenal in January. Talks also remain ongoing with the Gunners despite rejecting their opening bid.
That is according to 90min, which reports the Miners have snubbed a £55m offer by Mikel Arteta’s team for the 21-year-old. He has made no secret of his desire to move to Emirates Stadium next month. But Arsenal are ‘some way off’ offering Shakhtar Donetsk’s valuation.
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The Ukrainian giants have been setting the north Londoners a £100m price tag during their previous discussions over the winger. But while Shakhtar Donetsk are now ready to accept a lower overall sum, they still believe an £80m package including all add-ons is reasonable.
Manchester United set a benchmark Shakhtar Donetsk want from Arsenal for Mudryk
Shakhtar Donetsk point to the initial £81.5m, plus £4m in add-ons, that Manchester United paid Ajax for Antony in August. They believe the Brazilian’s move set a benchmark that the Gunners must now match, rather than the deal Liverpool have just agreed for Cody Gakpo.
PSV Eindhoven have confirmed that Gakpo will move to Liverpool in January in a deal that The Guardian reports is worth an initial £37m. Add-ons can take the Dutch forward’s move to Anfield up to £50m. Arsenal also believe Mudryk is worth a more similar price to Gakpo.
Arsenal are still confident of securing the transfer of Arteta’s top January target
Shakhtar Donetsk have now informed Arsenal as talks continue that they can sign Mudryk for an initial £60m. But the Gunners must agree to include £20m in add-ons if they wish to add the 21-year-old to Arteta’s team. Nonetheless, Arsenal are confident about a transfer.
Emirates Stadium chiefs still believe Mudryk will move to north London in January. Reports by ESPN also note Arsenal’s confidence in securing his transfer from Shakhtar Donetsk. But while it adds that Mudryk is Arteta’s top target, the Gunners are loath to overpay for him.
Mudryk may have impressed many including Kris Boyd, who calls the eight-cap Ukraine ace ‘excellent’, but he has only played domestically in his homeland. The forward has also only played 12 times in the Champions League for three goals and two assists over two seasons.
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