Director admits Arsenal want to sign his No.10 with Newcastle also interested

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Arsenal and Newcastle are both keen to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023 after his stunning performances this season.

According to the Evening Standard, the Gunners are in talks with the Ukrainian giants over a deal to bring their No.10 and talisman to the Emirates Stadium.

Elsewhere, it was iNews who revealed that Newcastle are also interested in Mudryk.

Now, Carlo Nicolini – Vice Sporting Director of Shakhtar Donetsk – has provided a fresh update.

What’s the story?

Well, the Italian did not mention Newcastle, but he did confirm that Arsenal are indeed interested in Mudryk.

As quoted by Calciomercato, Nicolini said: “Today Mudryk has received the message that he needs to be present at the restart of training in Antalya. Arsenal is a club interested, I can’t deny it.”

It is particularly interesting that Nicolini specifically warns the 21-year-old not to force an exit by skipping training.

His warning to Mudryk comes after the Ukraine international surprisingly made his intentions very clear in an interview with Vlada Zinchenko, the wife of Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko.

Mudryk admitted that he would be upset if he was blocked from leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, and added that he has been blown away by thousands of messages from Arsenal fans telling him to join the Gunners.

He said: “I check on Arsenal and know when they’re playing. I also watch them too, very dynamic side. 

“One surprise for me was how many Arsenal fans followed me (on social media). No other club’s fans have interacted as much as them. Telling me that they are waiting for me. Saying; ‘Come to us’. One of my recent posts has over 500 comments saying that.” 

So far this season, Mudryk has scored ten goals – while also providing eight assists – in 18 appearances for Shakhtar Donetsk.

Newcastle set to miss out on Mudryk to Arsenal

In our view, it would be very surprising if Mudryk chose Newcastle over Arsenal based on his revealing comments.

Only if the Magpies use their financial power and make the wonderkid a truly irresistible offer could we see them securing his signature, but even then, Arsenal seem to be in pole position, purely from a footballing aspect.

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as a deal could materialise as soon as January.