Agent tells Arsenal that they have ‘minimal’ chance of signing Shakhtar star Mudryk in January

Joe Williams
Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk runs with the ball

Arsenal have been given a “minimal” chance of signing Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to a Ukrainian agent.

Chelsea and the Gunners are competing for the Ukraine international’s signature with Shakhtar setting their valuation of the player at €100m.

Neither Premier League club is willing to pay that much for Mudryk with Arsenal have two bids turned down so far. The latest proposal was believed to be worth up to £62m (€70m) but still falls a long way short of Shakhtar’s asking price.

And Ukrainian agent Igor Kryvenko has told Footboom that Arsenal and other top European clubs have “minimal” chance of landing Mudryk in January.

“Minimal. Shakhtar won’t let Mudryk go for the money they are currently offering. €100m is an inadequate price,” Kryvenko said when asked of interest from Arsenal.

“A player from the Ukrainian championship cannot cost more than, for example, a player from the Netherlands. You have to look at things realistically. There is a market value, and Shakhtar seem to be taking figures from the ceiling.

“The guy is in the ‘golden cage’. I know for sure that in the summer, Brentford offered good money for Mudryk, but the Donetsk team refused. It seems as if they want to reflect on their talent everything that they lost in the past failed transfers.”

Mudryk is represented by Oleksiy Alyokhin and he also gave an update on the current situation.

“Mudryk is a Shakhtar player and the decision on his transfer will be made by the management of the Donetsk club. Mykhailo is preparing to go to the camp with Shakhtar. Trust only official information,” Alyokhin told Sport Arena.

CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs outlined the current situation on Friday night with Mudryk and Shakhtar facing several possibilities this winter.

Jacobs wrote on Twitter: “Still no Arsenal concern following Chelsea meetings with Shakhtar over Mykhaylo Mudryk. Arsenal have their own top-end valuation in mind and won’t get sucked into a bidding war.

“Shakhtar continue to demand €100m and can do so quite bullishly with plenty of time left in the window. But there is still a belief the price will drop and the structure of any offer will prove important.

“Chelsea are not expected to meet Shakhtar’s public valuation. They also want to understand if Mudryk is open to joining them over Arsenal. At this stage, and with Arsenal still in active talks, Mudryk has indicated he wants a move to the Emirates Stadium.

“This means Chelsea have to hope Arsenal pull out or try to change Mudryk’s mind. In addition should Chelsea bid, it is not thought their initial offer will significantly differ to Arsenal’s own valuation.

“So Arsenal are calm about any Chelsea hijack. They are simply sticking to their own plan and valuation. If Shakhtar reject this (should Arsenal have to, and choose to, table their top or ‘final’ offer), they were always going to walk away regardless of any Chelsea offer.

“Shakhtar are naturally in a strong position currently because they have two clubs and over three weeks before the window shuts. But as time ticks away, they lose a bit of leverage.

“Mudryk, too, can stick to his position for now of wanting to join Arenal. Were a deal to only be agreed with Chelsea, and less time remain in the window, he would then have to decide whether he prefers Chelsea or to stay and see what happens in summer.

“But the twist in that scenario is Shakhtar may not get the same kind of money next summer. It will depend on form and suitors. Right now, they have peak interest and that’s why they are asking for such a high price.

“As things stand, Chelsea are very much exploring the possibility of Mudryk but also cautious. They know Arsenal are currently in a stronger position. Plus, agreeing a deal with Shakhtar isn’t easy. It’s not just a case of ‘bettering’ Arsenal but satisfying Shakhtar’s ambitious president.

“Remember, too, this early in the window it is in Shakhtar’s interest to play Arsenal and Chelsea against each other hence the very visual presence of Shakhtar’s delegation at Stamford Bridge.

“There’s a games element. Rarely would a significant transfer meeting take place in this setting and if it does, it’s intended to send a message to Arsenal at the same time. Shakhtar are seasoned negotiators, which again is why local knowledge in negotiating with them is also key.

“(And yes, Arsenal ideally want Mudryk and Joao Felix, as reported earlier).”

READ MORE: Transfer gossip: Mudryk now ‘torn’ between Arsenal and Chelsea; Man Utd ‘agree’ striker loan