‘Absolutely possible’ Arsenal could walk away from Mudryk transfer

Robin Bairner

• 2 Jan 2023 06:26 CST
• 2 min read

Arsenal will not be held to ransom over the transfer of Myhailo Mudryk, Shakhtar Donetsk have been warned.

The Gunners are on the lookout for a new forward and have zeroed in on the Ukraine international winger, who was also linked with a possible move to the Emirates in the summer.

Arsenal have already had a €62 million bid for the 21-year-old rejected by the Europa League hopefuls, who have said that they want a fee in excess of €100m for a player who has only 73 senior appearances, as well as 12 goals and 17 assists, to his name.

MORE: Mykhailo Mudryk: Why the ‘Ukrainian Neymar’ is so deadly

Chelsea have also been linked with a possible swoop for the player, but for the moment, it is Arsenal who are in the driving seat, with Mudryk pushing for the deal to go through by having gone public on his frustration at Shakhtar’s asking price.

The Ukrainian side have been warned that their excessive price tag on the player, though, could drive the Gunners to look at other targets.

MORE: Arsenal told Mudryk has Ballon d’Or potential

Speaking on Sky Sports, the Telegraph’s Sam Dean outlined the current state of play and indicated that there is still a long way to go before any deal is done.

“It's absolutely a possibility that Mudryk won't join this month as Shakhtar want so much for him. There is a big gap in the valuation,” he said.

“Arsenal are trying to drive that price down. The longer the window goes on, the more Mudryk is angling that he wants to go, the feeling is that it will happen but it is not a done deal as Arsenal have walked away in the past when the price is too big.

“It is clear he is the man Arsenal want and it is clear that he wants them too.”

Arsenal are presently flying in the Premier League, with 14 wins from 16 games carrying them to an unexpected seven-point advantage over Manchester City, but with striker Gabriel Jesus injured are short on attacking depth, which is why Mudryk is being targeted.