An Arsenal move for thrilling winger Mykhaylo Mudryk looks there for the making after the player himself gave an incredibly encouraging interview regarding a deal.
The Gunners made additions all across their squad this summer, though there were a handful of positions they failed to address. Holding midfield was one with a move for Youri Tielemans overlooked and bids for Douglas Luiz rejected.
A winger was also targeted and Raphinha was in their sights early on. The Brazilian would ultimately join Barcelona and Mikel Arteta never wound up replacing Nicolas Pepe who left for Nice on loan.
In the window’s final days, a move for Shakhtar Donetsk sensation, Mykhaylo Mudryk, was touted.
Reports claimed Arsenal bid around £25.9m, though Shakhtar spurned their advances.
Mudryk hit the headlines for all the right reasons on Tuesday. In Shakhtar’s Champions League opener against RB Leipzig, the 21-year-old scored and assisted two in the 4-1 thumping.
Now, in a remarkable scoop by CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Mudryk has set tongues wagging with his comments about a future Arsenal move, potentially as early as January.
Mykhaylo Mudryk talks up Arsenal transfer
When asked if links of a move to the Premier League had proved a difficult distraction to handle, Mudryk said: “In winter we will see.
“There were a lot of discussions about a transfer, about clubs who want me, but it’s normal.
“I’m in Shakthar and I want to play in this team, I love every player in this team. Shakthar for me right now is my home.
“For me it’s very important that all my thoughts [are on] Shakhtar, but in winter we sill see.”
Jacobs then asked the 21-year-old if he dreams of playing in the Premier League one day.
“Yes,” admitted Mudryk. “I think every guy dreams about the Premier League.”
When pushed if there was any one “dream” club in particular he’d like to play for, such as Real Madrid or Arsenal, Mudryk continued: “Yes yes, it’s hard to say but Arsenal is a very good team.
“Very good coach, I like the way they play.”
If that wasn’t reason enough to get Gunners fans’ hopes up, Jacobs finished his interview by asking if it’d be hard to say no if Arsenal came calling.
“Yes, from my side I can’t say no. But a transfer is not only my decision and my word.”
Fabrizio Romano reveals numbers involved
The right-footed Mudryk operates primarily on the left wing, meaning he’d provide competition for Gabriel Martinelli if signed.
His tally for Shakhtar now stands at three goals and 12 assists in 30 matches – a ratio of one goal involvement every two games.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano recently claimed the Ukrainian club will demand a figure of at least £43m to sign Mudryk.
Whether that is a sum that will lure the Gunners in, we’re sure to find out come January.
