Official: Chelsea sign Mykhailo Mudryk for €100m

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 15 Jan 2023 14:34 GMT
• 4 min read

Mykhailo Mudryk has officially joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk after the Blues successfully hijacked Arsenal’s deal for the winger.

Mudryk had long been expected to join Arsenal, but a third official bid from the Emirates club to Shakhtar was not accepted.

Chelsea took the opportunity to launch a €100 million offer to the Ukrainian side, which was accepted, setting in motion a series of events that ended with Mudryk moving to Stamford Bridge.

MORE: How Chelsea could line up with Mudryk

Chelsea beat Arsenal to Mudryk

Mudryk has signed an eight and a half year contract with Chelsea until the summer of 2031, with the Blues offering the player a much higher salary than Arsenal also.

"I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea," Mudryk said after completing his move.

"This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff."

MORE: Chelsea join Shakhtar in trolling Arsenal over Mudryk

He was present at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for Chelsea’s match with Crystal Palace.

Mudryk had been expected to join Arsenal in January, as the Gunners have been in negotiations for the winger since last summer.

Arsenal made their first official offer for the 21-year-old at the end of December, offering a fixed fee of around €40m which would rise to €62m with bonuses.

However, Shakhtar immediately rejected the bid and sensationally told Arsenal that they expected a bid close to the €118m that Man City paid for Jack Grealish in 2021.

Arsenal followed up with two improved offers but never came remotely close to Shakhtar’s asking price.

Chelsea thus seized the opportunity to hijack their move.

The 21-year-old is considered as one of the most exciting young wingers in Europe having burst onto the scene over the last year.

The young wide-man - who has been nicknamed "the Ukrainian Neymar" by fans – had been flirting with Arsenal continuously since the summer.

Mudryk has been in fine form for Shakhtar this season, scoring eight goals and making 10 assists from 18 games.

Chelsea hope that Mudryk can help rescue a top four spot in the Premier League this season, with the Blues currently well off the Champions League places.