Arsenal could face competition from Chelsea in race for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, Mikel Arteta’s main target this month.
This has been reported by sources in Ukraine Telegraph sports that Chelsea are exploring the possibility of approaching Mudryk on their own, despite Arsenal being front of the line to sign him.
Arsenal are in negotiations with Shakhtar and hope to reach an agreement in the coming days, having already rejected a formal offer.
Shakhtar has publicly valued Mudryk at £88 million, in response to deals that saw Jack Grealish go from Aston Villa to Manchester City and Antony from Ajax to Manchester United.
Arsenal’s initial bid was worth around £55 million and there was growing anticipation within the game that a deal would eventually be made.
However, Chelsea’s potential move for the player could change that, or at least help Mudryk’s price go up.
Any move from Chelsea would be late as Arsenal were the only team negotiating with Shakhtar as of Monday afternoon.
Mudryk has made it clear that he wants to join Arsenal, and he has even posted a series of social media posts suggesting so.
The player’s own desire could prove crucial in any tug-of-war, though it remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be encouraged to make a formal offer.
Mudryk is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young forwards and was last week described as a potential Ballon d’Or winner by Roberto De Zerbi, his former manager.
“Mudryk is a fantastic player, but Brighton can’t buy him,” said De Zerbi. “I like him because I like all my ex-players. But I’m Brighton’s coach and Brighton can’t buy him. Arsenal, I don’t know.
“I think Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. Real. I know the value of Mudryk, he has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.”