Arsenal report: Mykhaylo Mudryk, 'the Ukrainian Neymar' set to join at cut-price

Arsenal are set to win the race for Shakhtar Donetsk wide man Mykhaylo Mudryk. 

The Gunners have been linked with the star since the summer, choosing not to swoop for the 21-year-old back then, who has been compared to the likes of Neymar for his directness, creativity and ability to combine with team-mates. 

Mudryk has since scored three goals in the Champions League for the Ukrainian side and whispers that he could move to the Premier League have only intensified. While speaking to Vlada Sedan, the wife of Arsenal star Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mudryk admitted that Arsenal fans are telling him to come to the club on social media.

Now, it looks like Arsenal have won the race for the player – and not for the price they thought they'd have to pay. 

The Mirror reports that the Gunners were originally quoted upwards of £80 million for Mudryk but Shakhtar have since lowered their demands by half. Manager Mikel Arteta has been looking for cover in attack with few options beyond his first-choice wingers of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, both at the World Cup with their respective nations. 

The news of Shakhtar lowering their asking price to just £40m will come as music to the ears of the Gunners – but also to Mudryk himself, who admitted he couldn't believe he was worth so much.

"When I found out about my price, I wasn't just surprised – I was shocked," Mudryk told Sport Arena.

"I have a long-term contract with Shakhtar, I give all my strength and energy so that Shakhtar achieves maximum results, but every football player has a dream to play in a top club and in a top championship - I am no exception.

"But I am 100 per cent sure that they are unlikely to buy a player from the championship of Ukraine for €100m. I will not hide that I was very upset. The amount of €100m puts a barrier for my transition to the top championship, which I so dreamed of. I can't say that my dream was killed, but wounded – that's for sure."

Mudryk is only valued at around €15m by Transfermarkt. 

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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli; the Gunners are said to have already made contact with the Italy international's camp. The club are also interested in Evan Ndicka in defence, while N'Golo Kante and Federico Valverde are targets, too. 

Meanwhile, one man who could be heading for the Emirates Stadium exit door is Gabriel Martinelli: there's been talk of Chelsea making a shock swoop for the winger.

In other news, Aaron Ramsdale says that the Gunners have been motivated to succeed this season by the disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification last term.