Chelsea close in on hijack of 'perfect winger' Mudryk

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 4 Jan 2023 17:31 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea regard Mykhailo Mudryk as their “perfect winger” as they move closer to hijacking the star’s transfer to Arsenal.

The Blues have begun talks with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mudryk and, according to The Sun, the Ukrainian side’s director and club legend Darijo Srna will meet Chelsea officials in London to discuss the move in the coming hours.

And according to Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have identified Mudryk as their “perfect winger” and see him as the player to transform their wide-play in what has been a very disappointing season offensively for the Blues.

Premier League 2022/23 January transfers: All the Done Deals

Romano adds that Srna is expected to be present at Chelsea’s match against Man City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday evening.

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 last week, 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.

Shakhtar boss on Arsenal and Mudryk

Shakhtar vice director Carlo Nicolini told Calciomercato.it: "€60m is not enough to sign Mudryk.

“Our director said that we need a bid closer to the Grealish fee than Antony if we are to sell Mudryk. We're not even considering a bid with €40m as fixed fee.”

It has been reported elsewhere that Arsenal are set to table an improved offer but they are now very much in danger of being gazumped by Chelsea.

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

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

Mudryk has also received interest from Liverpool but the Anfield club have now signed Cody Gakpo from PSV instead.

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

Arsenal hoped that Mudryk will help strengthen their chances of winning a first Premier League title since 2004. Chelsea, meanwhile, hope that Mudryk can help rescue a top four spot.