Arsenal facing stiff competition for 'Ukrainian Neymar'

FT Desk

• 29 Oct 2022 17:00 BST
• 3 min read

Arsenal may have to pay dearly if they hope to beat out their fellow contenders for the signature of Shakhtar Donetsk gem Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Mudryk, 21, is earning rave reviews for his performances with Shakhtar and the Ukraine national team.

The winger has scored three times in his club's Champions League campaign to date and boasts a total of six goals in 12 games, earning comparisons to none other than Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain ace Neymar.

The Gunners are in the hunt for Mudryk, but they are not the only interested party.

Shakhtar deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini has revealed that as well as Arsenal, Manchester City are also keen on signing the young star.

“The headlights are on him, but I say that the Italians always come later,” Nicoloini explained to Calciomercat.

"Now it is easy to observe him, but it was possible to do it before. The Italians bring low proposals, we don’t even sit down to negotiate

“There are many English candidates, there is the Spanish on duty, the French on duty, but now it takes the right amount to take him away. Together with Mbappè, Leao and Vinicius, Mudryk is the strongest player in that position.

“Oscillating between Arsenal and Manchester City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player. But there are also other clubs that can spend right away.”

How much would Mudryk cost?

Such interest has logically pushed up Mudryk's asking price, with Nicolini suggesting that his final fee could outstrip that which saw Antony move to Manchester United from Ajax this summer.

“Is €40m enough to buy him? We do not speak to these figures. Not even for €50m, we don’t even call the president to communicate the offer. We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100m,” Nicolini added.

“We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to make phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic.

"But in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money.”