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Arsenal ‘getting closer’ to signing Mudryk in January

By Ritayan Chatterjee on December 29, 2022

Arsenal are reportedly ‘getting closer’ to matching Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price of Mykhaylo Mudryk, as per the CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.

It has widely been reported that the Gunners are keen on adding more firepower to their attacking department this winter. And following Gabriel Jesus’ injury, the north London club have accelerated their efforts to sign a new forward.

The Ukraine international is seemingly Mikel Arteta’s priority target to bolster the frontline and the Gunners have already made an opening £55m bid to sign the forward.

However, Shakhtar have rejected Arsenal’s opening proposal and they are asking a fee of around £85m to sell their biggest asset this January.

Now, Speaking to GiveMeSport, Ben Jacobs has claimed that Arsenal remain in contact with the Ukrainian giants and both parties are in negotiations to find an agreement to get this deal done next month. And the north London club are ‘getting closer’ to matching Shakhtar’s financial demands.

Mykhaylo Mudryk to Arsenal

The journalist further states that this deal is looking likely to be done this January. However, if Shakhtar stay firm on their ‘crazy’ valuation then Arteta’s side will opt to ‘walk away’.

Ben Jacobs said:

“Through a combination of things and a preferable structure as well, where Shakhtar get more of the money up front, they’ll feel like, potentially, they’re getting closer to the number they want and Arsenal will feel like they’re still getting Mudryk at market value.

“This is all heading towards Arsenal agreeing a deal. But because it’s Arsenal and perhaps not other clubs like Chelsea, for example, I still do feel that if Shakhtar continue to insist on crazy money, then Arsenal will walk away.”

Following Gabriel Jesus’ injury, Arteta has only left with Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinell and Eddie Nketiah to play in the front three. So, the Spanish boss currently doesn’t have any backup forward at his disposal, with Reiss Nelson also out injured and Marquinhos not ready to play regular first-team football.

Hence, signing a new attacker seems to be an absolute necessity, with the games set to come thick and fast over the next few months. And Mudryk would be a very good option if he were to join the club, given he can play anywhere across the front line.