Now would be the ‘most convenient’ time for Shakhtar Donetsk to cash in on Mykhaylo Mudryk but former Ukrainian Premier League boss Vyacheslav Grozny believes the chances of a January move to Arsenal are still slim, speaking to Football Time on YouTube.
With London rivals Chelsea closing in on the signing of Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix (another addition to Graham Potter’s extensive collection of, ahem, ‘fauxwards’), the path to Mudryk appears to have been cleared of a major obstacle as far as Mikel Arteta is concerned.
Per Fabrizio Romano, Arsenal held further talks with Shakhtar on Monday. Mudryk, who has spoken openly about his admiration for the Gunners, has already agreed a £120,000-a-week, five-year deal at the Emirates Stadium (The Sun).
Arsenal have made two bids this month, the latest standing at £62 million (Daily Mail).
But while it would undoubtedly make financial sense for Shakhtar to strike while the iron is hot – or, in other words, sell while Mudryk’s reputation is at it’s most glittering – Grozny believes that any deal is more likely to take place in the summer with the Ukrainian giants still fighting on a number of fronts.
Arsenal hope to sign Ukraine star Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk
“Shakhtar hopes that Mykhaylo will progress even more. Like Kylian Mbappe,” says Grozny, who had three separate spells at Arsenal’s Ukrainian namesakes Arsenal Kyiv.
“(The chances of Mudryk joining Arsenal in January are) no more than 10 per cent. If Shakhtar want to play successfully in Europe, to become the champion of Ukraine (they will keep him).”
“But it is now the most convenient time to sell, to get big, big money. It’s really big money.”
Like another Eastern European import – Napoli’s former Rubin Kazan speedster Kvicha Kvaratskhelia – Mudryk’s rise to prominence has been as rapid as it’s been impressive. It is only two years since Mudryk, labelled the third best left-winger on the continent behind Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, failed to find the net during a spell at Desna Chernihiv.
“Mudryk played for Desna and he didn’t score a single goal,” Grozny adds. “Someone seriously talked with him, he changed his perspective, his approach to becoming a top player.”
Mudryk has 10 goals and eight assists in all competitions this season.
“I want him to play wherever he goes,” former Shakhtar Donetsk analyst Oleg Starynskyi. “This is the most important thing.
“It is important that the next coach also believes in Mudryk. I would like Mykhaylo to play in England. This Premier League is watched everywhere. (There are) many fans of Arsenal.
“This would be a pleasant step for Ukraine’s image.”
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