According to The Sun, Arsenal are trying to get Mykhaylo Mudryk’s asking price down by using Cody Gakpo as an example of fair value in the market.
The ‘dangerous‘ attacker has just joined LIverpool in a deal worth an initial £37m, while Arsenal have already bid £55m for Mudryk.
However, Shakhtar Donetsk want around £85m for the player, but Arsenal are now trying to use Gakpo as an example of why he isn’t worth that much.
To be honest, we can see where Arsenal are coming from here.
Gakpo has infinitely more pedigree than Mudryk. Not only does he have more goals and more assists that the Ukrainian in a league that is more competitive, he was also a star at the World Cup – netting three goals for the Netherlands.
Logic dictates that Gakpo should cost more than Mudryk, but, as we all know, this market isn’t always driven by talent.
Indeed, PSV’s financial issues played a big part in Gakpo moving so cheaply, while Shakhtar will point towards other players’ inflated fees as justification for their asking prices.
Darijo Srna has outright named the likes of Antony and Jack Grealish as examples of players he sees as comparable to Mudryk, and they both went for north of £85m.
To be honest, in this market, it’s almost impossible to figure out what fair market value is. If Gakpo is £37m then you should be looking at south of that mark for Mudryk, but as with any transfer, a player is only worth what the club is willing to pay.
Whether or not Arsenal’s attempts to lower Mudryk’s asking price are successful remains to be seen, but it looks as though the Gunners aren’t giving up on signing this talented young man in the winter transfer window.
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