Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk, with an announcement expected soon.
That's according to multiple reports that have followed the Gunners' routine 3-0 win over Oxford United in the third round of the FA Cup, with manager Mikel Arteta tight-lipped at full-time over the potential for incomings. Arsenal have chased Mudryk since the summer with the target himself liking social media activity linking him with north London.
Chelsea were believed to be interested in the Ukrainian, though a deal in principle for Joao Felix seems to have ended that pursuit – giving Arteta and co. a free run to Mudryk's signature.
According to Santi Aouana of Foot Mercato, Mudryk has agreed a deal with both Arsenal and Shakhtar coming ever closer in meeting in the middle for a fee. It was believed that the Ukrainian side were demanding around £80m, with Arsenal offering closer to £50m.
According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, "direct talks" took place between the two clubs on the day of the Oxford fixture.
Shakhtar deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini had previously confirmed to TVfplay that, "Arsenal's interest is there, I can't deny it," while Yehor Danylov, editor at Ukrainian outlet sportarena has claimed that talks have made a big step forward.
"The London club wants bonuses to be at least 30% of the entire transfer fee, Shakhtar wants bonuses to be a maximum of 20%," he said.
Confirmation is not quite complete just yet. The two clubs still need to agree on final figures but Danylov's assertion that the percentages of add-ons are what need ironing out suggests that the move could be completed sooner rather than later. It's possible that this is a deal that Arsenal may now have made before the weekend's North London Derby – though there is still a small chance of the move breaking down completely.
Mudryk is valued by Transfermarkt to be worth around €40m.
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