Arsenal have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk by submitting their first official bid in advance of the upcoming January window. Mudryk is thought to be at the very top of Arsenal’s list of targets for the mid-season market and is believed to be keen on joining the Gunners next month, although a full agreement is yet to be reached between the two clubs at this stage of proceedings.
The north Londoners are said to have submitted an initial offer of around £55million for Mudryk but are likely to see it rebuffed by Shakhtar, with the 21-year-old’s current employers only willing to sell for a premium fee given the mid-season timing of Arsenal’s approach. However, it seems as though it could only be a matter of time before Mudryk is welcomed at the Emirates Stadium, with Mikel Arteta determined to bring him to the club over the next few weeks.
A successful move for Mudryk would allow Arsenal to focus on a number of their other transfer priorities next month as they look to reinforce their squad in order to maximise their preparations for the Premier League run-in. The addition of a new striker would remain high on their to-do list if Mudryk is snapped up in the not-too-distant future, with the Shakhtar man expected to be deployed in his natural wide position rather than being forced into the middle.
The recent injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus at the World Cup could force Arsenal into the market for a short-term replacement, with the Gunners forward set to be sidelined until at least February as he continues to recover. Atletico Madrid marksman Joao Felix is believed to be among the club’s potential targets after falling out with Diego Simeone in the Spanish capital and is fully anticipated to leave the La Liga giants next month.
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Arsenal have reportedly been speaking to Felix’s agent, Jorge Mendes, over the last few weeks but are yet to firm up their interest with an official bid as the January window quickly approaches. However, they could be tempted to submit a concrete offer if they manage to wrap up negotiations for Mudryk over the next few days, while the latter’s arrival may also speed up an exit for Nicolas Pepe between now and the end of the season.
Pepe is currently spending his time on loan at Nice and will have almost no chance of working his way back at Arsenal if Mudryk ends up joining the club over the coming weeks. The Frenchman will be out of contract in the summer but it might be worth Arsenal offering his services to other teams in an attempt to recoup a nominal fee for his signature rather than losing him for nothing when the campaign draws to a close.
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It will also be important for Arsenal to wave through a move to Fulham for Cedric Soares, who is being targeted by the Cottagers in advance of the January window. His exit would free up some much-needed space on the Gunners’ wage bill, which is likely to be dented significantly in their efforts to sign Mudryk, in order to give them as much negotiating power as possible for the rest of the January window.
Arsenal are believed to have several other targets in the firing line ahead of next month, with the likes of Youri Tielemans and Danilo also said to have been earmarked alongside Mudryk by those in power at the Emirates Stadium. Only time will tell which direction they will decide to go in once a deal has been agreed with Shakhtar, although it will be crucial for Arteta to make the right decisions while also balancing the books by letting fringe players leave in order to stand the best chance of maintaining the club’s surprise Premier League title charge.
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