‘Mudryk is our present,’ Shakhtar tell Arsenal

Robin Bairner

• 10 Dec 2022 11:10 GMT
• 3 min read

Shakhtar Donetsk have told Arsenal that attacker Mykhailo Mudryk is their present – but unfortunately for the Gunners, the Ukrainian side are not talking about the Christmas variety.

Mudryk is a player that Arsenal have been tracking for months, and it is widely expected that they will launch a transfer bid for the 21-year-old during the January window.

Negotiations promise to be difficult, though. Initially, Shakhtar had suggested that they believed that the Ukraine international is worth in the region of €100 million – a figure that understandably made the Premier League leaders baulk. Indeed, even Mudryk himself admitted that he was “wounded” by the statement made by his club.

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A more realistic value of €40m has emerged as a likely starting point for talks since then. That figure would fit neatly into Arsenal’s projected January transfer budget of around €58m (£50m).

Shakhtar, though, have indicated that they will not readily allow the player to leave.

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Speaking to the media, director of football Darijo Srna explained that Mudryk remains very much in the club’s plans for this season.

“Mudryk is a great talent. There have been no contacts with any club yet. If someone wants him, they will have to pay a lot of money. Mudryk is our present,” he explained.

What has Mudryk said about Arsenal?

Although Mudryk is under contract until 31 December 2026, giving Shakhtar some strong cards to hold in negotiations, he has indicated that he wants to leave the club and complete a “dream” move.

Speaking to CBS, he explained: “I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. It's hard to say my preferred move but Arsenal is a very good team, with a very good coach, I like the way they play.

“From my side, I can't say no [to Arsenal]. But the transfer is not only my decision.”

Mudryk has enjoyed a breakout season, scoring nine time and assisting eight more in 17 appearances with Shakhtar Donetsk this term, making him an ideal candidate to bolster Arsenal’s attack as they seek the Premier League title.