Chelsea have not given up trying to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk and have agreed to meet Shakhtar Donetsk’s asking price, sources have confirmed to 90min.
However, sources have also confirmed to 90min that Mudryk’s desire remains to join Premier League rivals Arsenal, who themselves remain in talks with Shakhtar as well.
Mudryk is currently with Shakthar at a warm-weather training camp in Turkey, where he has been anxiously awaiting news on his future as Arsenal continue to try and negotiate a deal.
However, whilst Arsenal and Shakthar carrying on their talks, Chelsea are prepared to meet the asking price for Mudryk. They wish to engage in talks with the 22-year-old in an attempt to try and persuade him to move to west London rather than north London.
Shakthar had demanded €100m for Mudryk, as they believe a deal in line with transfers of the likes of Antony and Jack Grealish is an accurate valuation of the player.
Arsenal believe an overall deal worth around €80m with add-ons taking it above €90 is more of a correct mark, but it remains to be seen what Chelsea’s decision to return with a new bid will do to the Gunners’ chances.
Chelsea are intent on bolstering their squad this month, despite already bringing in Benoit Badiashile, Joao Felix, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofanam in addition to finalising a pre-arranged summer deal for Christopher Nkunku.
In stark contrast Arsenal are very much thinking quality over quantity and are yet to sign any players this month, but have made Mudryk their number one target.
Listen now as Scott Saunders hosts Graeme Bailey, Toby Cudworth and Tom Gott in the latest episode of Talking Transfers. This week they discuss Chelsea’s hectic transfer strategy, Man Utd’s pursuit of Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, Leandro Trossard’s Brighton future and more. Available on all audio platforms. If you can’t see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!
