Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could succeed in luring his top January transfer target to north London by putting a £53million bid on the table, it has been claimed.
Arsenal could land Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk at the Emirates Stadium by parting with £53million in January, CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GiveMeSport.
The Premier League season will resume with the Gunners sitting five points clear at the top of the table, but boss Mikel Arteta may look to boost his side’s title tilt by dipping into the transfer market next month.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update
Arsenal transfer news – Mykhaylo Mudryk
According to The Athletic, Arsenal have identified Mudryk as their top January target and there is an understanding that he could be signed for less than the £88million price tag placed on him by Shakhtar.
The report suggests the Ukraine international is determined to join the Gunners, despite gaining interest from various clubs, and the north Londoners have held discussions with his representatives and current employers.
Arsenal are one of several clubs to have entered talks over a potential deal, but Shakhtar have insisted their president will decide Mudryk’s future once formal offers are tabled.
Manchester City, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, Brentford, Everton and Bayer Leverkusen are also known to be admirers of the winger and monitoring his situation.
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth recently told GiveMeSport a winter move for Mudryk to Arsenal is ‘one to watch’.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
What has Ben Jacobs said about Mudryk?
Jacobs understands that Arsenal could sign Mudryk for as little as £53million despite a £88million valuation being put in place by Shakhtar.
The journalist believes the Gunners will head to the negotiating table with a proposal worth even less than that amount, but the structure of the deal could help them to eventually seal the deal.
Jacobs told GiveMeSport: “They’ve never had a history of paying above the odds and they’ve never had a history of panic buying, so it’s now about whether they can agree a fee with Shakhtar.
“Sources are saying privately that fee will be €60-65million if Arsenal get their way at the top end. Arsenal’s starting point will be even lower than that as well and the way forward, as ever with these kinds of deals, will be around the structure.
“Arsenal are definitely not going to put down anywhere close to €100million, but what they might do is put down €50-60million with some gettable add-ons and even potentially a sell-on percentage to Shakhtar should they eventually let him go elsewhere.”
Would Mudryk be a good signing for Arsenal?
Mudryk’s productivity is emphasised by the fact he has averaged more goals and assists per 90 minutes than current Arsenal wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli this season, according to FBref.
Considering the duo have played a key role in the capital club mounting a Premier League title push, that is no mean feat.
Mudryk certainly caught the eye in the Champions League group stage, with Sofascore statistics showing that he got his name on the scoresheet every 173 minutes, while he also boasted a pass accuracy of 81 per cent per outing.
The 21-year-old has chalked up 18 goal contributions in as many appearances since the campaign got underway, so Arteta should not hesitate in making a move.
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