Arsenal were shown up by Chelsea in the transfer market over the weekend as the Blues snatched Mykhaylo Mudryk from under their noses.
After months of interest and flirting between Arsenal and Mudryk, Chelsea swooped in and got a deal done at the eleventh hour, just as the Ukrainian was set to join the Gunners.
It was one of the most dramatic gazumpings we’ve ever seen in the transfer market, and it’s going to take some topping.
Arsenal’s pride may well be hurt by this whole Mudryk saga, but they could get their revenge come the summer.
Indeed, it may well be Arsenal leaving Chelsea with egg on their face come the end of the season as the Gunners are now seemingly well in the race for one of the Blues’ top long-term transfer targets, Declan Rice.
The ‘devastating’ midfielder has been tipped to move to Chelsea for even longer than Mudryk was linked to Arsenal. It’s been about three years of non-stop speculation regarding Rice heading to Stamford Bridge, but now, Arsenal have supposedly made him their top summer transfer target.
Revenge is a dish best served cold, and Arsenal would be handing Chelsea a huge serving if they managed to snatch Rice from their grasps.
Make no mistake about it, Chelsea losing Rice to Arsenal would sting a lot more than Arsenal losing Mudryk to the Blues, especially as the Gunners have moved quickly to bring Leandro Trossard to the club as their Mudryk alternative.
After years of tracking Rice, the time for Chelsea to strike is almost upon them, but given their recent fortunes and Arsenal’s rise, they may well be beaten to the punch by the Gunners.
Signing Rice would be the sweetest revenge for Arsenal after missing out on Mudryk to Chelsea.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
