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Reports coming out of England indicate that Chelsea are trying to hijack Arsenal’s signing of Ukrainian youngster Mykhaylo Mudryk.
THE LOWDOWN: ARSENAL’S NUMBER ONE PRIORITY
Since the 21-year-old’s breaking into the first team at Shakhtar Donetsk, he has been followed by many clubs across Europe. Arsenal, however, have been the most invested and their efforts are preparing to yield some fruit, with the player fancying them more than every other club that has declared an interest in him.
Mudryk has posted himself watching an Arsenal game and has also sent them a smoke signal in the form of announcing his transfer value as decided upon by the transfer value aggregator platforms out there. His representatives have also been in constant touch with people from the club.
Arsenal and Shakhtar have also maintained key communications for Mudryk, with the club’s president coming out to affirm this bit of news a few times in recent weeks.
The only thing standing between the 21-year-old’s move to the Emirates and his continued stay at Shakhtar or his move to another club is the transfer fee which the club are asking of Arsenal.
THE LATEST: CHELSEA PLOT HIJACK
It is believed they want £88 million and above for Mudryk and are adamant about their stance. Arsenal have made several bids, including a recent £70 million bid which is still being discussed between both clubs.
The Gunners could now lose their golden egg to London rivals Chelsea, who have approached Shakhtar as well as Mudryk’s entourage with a lucrative financial offer, according to reports.
As per ESPN, Chelsea will hold further talks with Darijo Srna, Shakhtar’s director of football, in London later this week to see if they can usurp Arsenal.
The Blues have spent £274 million on new players since Todd Boehly’s consortium took the club over in the summer. They look ready to splash the cash again in January, with their purported targets.
They currently have a £33.6 million agreement in place with AS Monaco for young defender Benoit Badiashile and have been reported to be progressing in talks to bring in Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who is being courtesy by all the big clubs after his young player of the tournament performance at the just concluded 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
THE VERDICT: ACT FAST OR PULL THE PLUG
It remains to be seen what Arsenal will do to match up with Chelsea’s financial muscle in this chase. However, what they have got going on is the fact that Mudryk wants to play for them.
Regardless, Arsenal are better off getting a player in quickly than risk dagging on the transfer saga only to see him join another club.
Mudryk obviously wants to play at Arsenal but if Shakhtar continues to play unnecessary hardball, it might make sense to move to another target.
