Arsenal's Chief Executive Officer Vinai Venkatesham has provided a number of updates on the Gunners' dealings in the January transfer window, but refused to comment on the ongoing Mykhaylo Mudryk saga. Two bids have been sent to Shakhtar and both have been rejected by the Ukrainian club, but Arsenal remain "confident and optimistic" a deal can be completed.
The Gunners' pursuit of Mudryk is well-known and despite interest emerging from Chelsea and Shakhtar's high demands, Fabrizio Romano has given the latest update on the positive mindset Arsenal have of agreeing a deal for the 22-year-old.
Speaking to GiveMeSport, he said: “We can confirm that Arsenal are confident and optimistic. They feel they can sign the player before the end of the window, but at the moment, it is not close to being completed yet.”
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Much of the focus in the January window has been aimed at Mudryk, although Arsenal are still keen to add numbers to their first-team squad notably in central midfielder and specifically another left-footed centre back to provide cover for Gabriel Magalhaes.
Edu and Mikel Arteta undoubtedly know what their plans are for the January transfer window, with Arsenal CEO Vinai Venkatesham insisting there is also a clear long-term plan regarding recruitment at the club.
"We’ve got a very clear plan, headed up by Edu, in terms of what we want to do to strengthen the squad," Venkatesham told Sky Sports. Every transfer window of course, we’re going to look to see what opportunities are out there.
"If something makes sense from a technical perspective and a financial perspective, of course, we’ll look at it but we’re happy with the squad that we’ve got.
"We’ll have a look around like we do in every transfer window but we’ve got a long-term plan."
Multiple reports and even hints from Arteta show that Mudryk is the priority for the winter, but Venkatesham remained coy on giving any significant update on the Gunners' pursuit of the winger adding: "You know the answer I’m going to give you. We’re not going to talk about specific players."
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