Arsenal reportedly remain in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk about signing Mykhaylo Mudryk and it has been suggested that talks could “conclude quickly”.
The Gunners have stepped up their efforts to sign Mudryk in recent weeks following his superb recent form for the Ukrainian side.
The 22-year-old has grabbed ten goals and eight assists in 18 appearances this term. This includes five goal involvements in six Champions League group games.
Arsenal have identified him as their main target this month as they look to strengthen on the flanks.
Chelsea have joined them in targeting Mudryk but their London rivals remain the favourites to sign him this month.
Recent reports have suggested that an agreement is close between Arsenal and Shakhtar, with Ben Jacobs now reporting that the ‘main conversation’ between the clubs it now regarding ‘the structure rather than necessarily the number’.
He adds that he sees Shakhtar eventually ‘conceding a little bit and going slightly lower’ than their €100m asking price.
‘The main conversation at the moment is about the structure rather than necessarily the number. Shakhtar have said publicly that they want €100m, and both of Arsenal’s bids were under €70m, though the second one was quite close,’ Jacobs wrote for Caught Offside.
‘Arsenal have a top-end valuation in mind and it doesn’t match Shakhtar’s €100m. Still, it isn’t just about the number, and my understanding at the moment is that Arsenal will be prepared to go a little higher provided that the structure suits them.
‘As time ticks away, Shakhtar will, in all likelihood, concede a little bit and go slightly lower, with a package with bonuses that suits them and gets them close to the number they’re looking for.’
He added: ‘Everyone’s fixating on the number and asking why don’t Arsenal just go higher, but it’s about finding the value for a priority signing that they really want. They’re not going to cave quickly because that’s not how Arsenal do business.’
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Jacobs went onto suggest that the ‘guaranteed fee’ for Mudryk will likely be ‘closer to €55-60m’ and a deal ‘could be concluded quickly’.
‘So, a back and forth is taking place, but I think the parties are reaching a little more consensus on the guaranteed part of the fee,’ Jacobs continued.
‘So now it will depend on the bonuses and the add-ons, and how much Arsenal are prepared to offer and how gettable they are.
‘It’s easy to bring the total up to €80m or above with add-ons if you know they are highly, highly unlikely to ever be activated, and if they are activated it’s tied to some extreme level of success. Shakhtar have to know they’re highly likely to get a healthy package.
‘I think the guaranteed portion of the fee, if it gets done, will be around €50m, or closer possibly to €55-60m.
‘Talks are ongoing and it could be concluded quickly, but certainly, the notion as of Monday or Tuesday morning that a deal was already done, is incorrect, as of my understanding.’
