Director warns Arsenal and Everton target will cost ‘much more’ than £30m

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Shakhtar Donetsk want ‘much more’ than £30 million for Mykhaylo Mudryk amid interest from Premier League duo Everton and Arsenal in the skilful Ukraine international, assistant sporting director Carlo Nicolini tells Gianluca di Marzio. 

Speculation over Mudryk’s future is not over. It’s merely on pause.  

According to The Athletic, Arsenal received ‘glowing reports’ when weighing up a move for the fleet-footed 21-year-old towards the end of the summer window. In fact, the Gunners would have made a more concerted effort to get Mudryk through the door if they hadn’t been forced to prioritise Douglas Luiz instead, following injuries to both Thomas Partey and Mo Elneny. 

Everton, according to Fabrizio Romano, submitted a £25 million bid of their own. One that fell well short of Shakhtar’s expectations. 

Everton and Arsenal like Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk

“We’ve refused offers of even 35 million euros,” explains Nicolini, while confirming an approach from one of Europe’s biggest clubs. “We value him much more”. 

“Juventus are interested in Mudryk.”

Brentford held talks to sign the right-footed left-winger earlier in the summer. Before Mudryk announced himself to a far wider audience with a stunning solo goal in a pre-season friendly with Ajax. Shakhtar’s number ten is aiming higher than Thomas Frank’s side, however; insisting that he wants to play his football at the highest possible level. 

That, one suspects, could also rule out Everton if the Toffees renew their interest in the New Year.

“For me, Mudryk is the best player in Europe in this position,” claims Shakhtar director and Croatia legend Darijo Srna. “After (Kylian) Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

“After Mbappe and Vinicius, I don’t see a third player other than Mudryk in this position in Europe. Mudryk has crazy potential.”

Shakhtar team-mate Taras Stepanenko, meanwhile, believes Mudryk has what it takes to follow in the footsteps of Andriy Shevchenko and compete for the Ballon D’Or in the future.