Arsenal plot Chelsea revenge for Mudryk transfer hijack

Cameron Smith

• 17 Feb 2023 15:04 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal could be set to exact revenge on Chelsea after the Blues hijacked their proposed January move for Shakhtar Donetsk's Mykhailo Mudryk.

The Gunners were the frontrunners to sign the Ukraine international, but a late charge by Chelsea and a superior financial package ensured Mudryk moved to Stamford Bridge rather than the Emirates.

Mudryk could end up costing Chelsea a whopping €100 million if add-ons are met, with the Blues banking on him becoming one of the world's best players.

READ: Malo Gusto: Chelsea sign one of Europe's biggest full-back prospects

After losing out on Mudryk, Arsenal turned to Leandro Trossard, sealing a deal to sign the Belgian international from Brighton & Hove Albion before the January window slammed shut.

However, Arsenal's business in the market isn't over and following Takehiro Tomiyasu's mistake in the defeat to Manchester City, a new right-back is reportedly on the agenda.

Benjamin White has been the first-choice option all season, but he was placed on the bench against Pep Guardiola's side, with Tomiyasu given the nod. It was the Japanese international's weak back-pass that led to Kevin de Bruyne's opener and set Man City on their way, and Fichajes have reported that Arsenal are now interested in signing Inter Milan's Denzel Dumfries.

READ: Man Utd in negotiations to sign Denzel Dumfries

The Dutchman has been heavily linked with both Manchester United and Chelsea in recent transfer windows, but he's remained at San Siro.

Dumfries typically plays as a wing-back at both club and country level, and has been excellent since joining Inter in 2021 as Achraf Hakimi's replacement. The report from Fichajes outlines that Inter's financial issues mean they must generate roughly €60m through player departures this summer.

Arsenal to sign Dumfries?

Arsenal may still face competition from Man Utd, amid interest in Diogo Dalot from Real Madrid, but their revenge on Chelsea may not be so sweet following the Blues' January signing of Olympique Lyonnais' Malo Gusto. The young Frenchman is currently sidelined through injury and will undergo his recovery at Chelsea's Cobham training facility.

As a result, the Blues are unlikely to pursue Dumfries, with Gusto providing cover for the injury-prone Reece James.