Chelsea are reportedly attempting to hijack Arsenal’s move for Shakhtar Donetsk starlet Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Ukraine international, 22, has been on the radar of Arsenal for months now. It has also now emerged that the Gunners have agreed personal terms with the youngster on a five-year deal, which now only leaves the fee for the two clubs to be settled upon.
According to The Sun, Chelsea have opened talks with Shakhtar Donetsk as they look to pip Arsenal for the signature of Mykhaylo Mudryk. Arsenal’s latest offer for the player is £62million, which is well below Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price.
So, if Chelsea agrees to meet Shakhtar’s asking price, around £60million with another £20million in add-ons, and offers better terms than Arsenal, they could hijack the deal, the report adds.
Mudryk has established himself as one of Europe’s highly coveted young players with his eye-catching displays for Shakhtar. The 21-year-old winger has 10 goals and eight assists in 18 appearances in all competitions this season, and is firmly on the radar of Arsenal and Chelsea.
Mykhaylo Mudryk to Chelsea—A good fit?
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is set to spend big this transfer window in order to help Graham Potter turn the club’s fortunes around.
The Blues have confirmed the signing of David Datro Fofana from Molde, with Vasco da Gama teen Andrey Santos set to follow suit soon. AS Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile is on the verge of arriving at Stamford Bridge, while the west Londoners remain very keen on completing a club-record deal for Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
Armando Broja’s season-ending knee injury, coupled with the underwhelming returns of Raheem Sterling, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, should make the signing of a forward essential going into the second half of the season.
Whether Fofana will go straight into the first team or be loaned out for the rest of the season remains to be seen, so the Blues certainly must try recruiting another forward. Mykhaylo Mudryk, in that regard, could be perfect for Chelsea.
A left-winger by trade, Mudryk is a direct, energetic and unpredictable player who likes to take on his man and beat him with his explosive pace and silky dribbling skills. The Ukrainian can go on either side but prefers to cut in onto his strong right foot and have a pop on goal. He has dazzled in the Champions League this season, catching the eye with two spectacular strikes against Celtic in the group stages.
The 21-year-old, however, is yet to prove himself domestically in one of Europe’s top leagues. Also, as he is young, Mudryk may need time to adapt to the demands of Premier League football if a move to Chelsea goes through. So, a manager like Graham Potter could be perfect for nurturing his talent. In return, Mudryk would improve Chelsea’s attacking ranks, whilst adding a much-needed cutting-edge which they have lacked throughout the season.
All in all, Chelsea hijacking Arsenal’s deal to sign Mudryk from Shakhtar would represent a massive statement of intent from Todd Boehly.
