Arsenal are one of several top clubs tracking the progress of Mykhaylo Mudryk.
(Image credit: Cathrin Mueller/Getty Images)
Sought-after Shaktar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk says he 'couldn't' turn down the chance to move to Arsenal if the Gunners come knocking in January.
The north London club have been heavily linked with a move for the youngster, but they are far from his only suitors.
Recent reports said that Newcastle were ready to join the race for the 21-year-old, who has shone in the Champions League this season with two goals in two games.
Mikel Arteta's side have been strongly linked with Mudryk. (Image credit: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Mudryk told CBS reporter Ben Jacobs that he “couldn’t say no” to Arsenal and that he's hoping to leave Shakhtar in January.
However, the list of clubs showing interest includes Newcastle, Sevilla, Bayer Leverkusen and Ajax.
The Ukrainian club have no intention of letting their young star go on the cheap, though, as sporting director Darijo Srna warned.
“Mudryk is a serious talent. After (Kylian) Mbappe & Vinicius Junior, he's the best player in Europe in his position,” Srna said.
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“If someone wants to buy Mudryk they must spend a lot, a lot, a lot of money & respect our club."
Shakhtar won't let Mudryk go without a big transfer fee. (Image credit: Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Shakhtar are said to value the player at €50m (£44m), but that price could rise if a bidding war breaks out between clubs.
Mudryk burst onto the scene last season and has started the 2022/23 campaign in fine form.
The Ukraine international scored one goal and set up another two in Shakhtar’s impressive 4-1 win away to RB Leipzig in their opening Champions League game.
He followed that up by netting the equaliser to earn his side a 1-1 draw against Celtic last week.
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Arsenal were looking for a “mystery winger” to complete their squad, while a midfielder was also been touted.
Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.
