Arsenal could turn their attention to Hirving Lozano as a Mykhaylo Mudryk alternative after reports emerged Shakhtar rejected the Gunners' second bid and Chelsea registered an interest in signing the winger. Arsenal saw their opening offer of £55million, including add-ons, swiftly rejected and their second attempt of a package deal around £60million looks set to be met with the same fate.
While negotiations were taking place between Arsenal and Shakhtar, Chelsea outlined Mudryk as one of their January targets and appear to be serious about hijacking the Gunners move for Mudryk. Shakhtar chief Dario Srna will be in attendance for Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Manchester City tonight (Thursday) to discuss Mudryk with Chelsea representatives.
Despite interest from the blue side of London, Mudryk's preferable choice is still Arsenal, with the 22-year-old dropping his latest hint that he wants to agree a transfer in January by liking a meme that shows him pictured behind bars with the Shakhtar badge behind him.
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Arsenal want to sign Mudryk in January in the hope his arrival bolsters their Premier League title chances and it's clear Mudryk also wants the move, but Shakhtar are proving tough negotiators. The Ukrainian outfit have set their public price at €100million, with comparisons made to the two recent deals on both sides of Manchester involving Jack Grealish and Antony in regards to how much Mudryk will cost.
Man City bought Grealish from Aston Villa for £100million, while Man Utd purchased Antony from Ajax for £86million and Shakhtar seem to be holding out for a fee close to those figures. Arsenal do not appear interested in reaching that fee and are unlikely to want to enter a bidding war with Chelsea which is why alternatives to Mudryk are being considered.
Barcelona star Ferran Torres, wantaway Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix and soon-to-be free agent Marcus Thuram have all been linked and it seems the Gunners have identified another possible alternative.
According to La Repubblica, Napoli star Hirving Lozano has caught the attention of Arsenal with his current situation in Italy indicating a possible departure could be on the horizon. The current Serie A league leaders have begun talks over an extension to Lozano's contract which expires in 2024, but they are not going well.
Lozano now appears to be pushing for a move away from Napoli as they have not gotten close to his wage demands. Arsenal believe him to be a realistic target, but face competition from Newcastle who have also expressed an interest. The 27-year-old has expressed a desire to play in the Premier League before it is too late and the contract stance with Napoli could be his last chance to secure a move to England.
Mudryk remains Arsenal's priority but the Gunners could cool their interest in him depending on what happens involving Shakhtar's stance on a transfer fee and whether or not Chelsea act on their interest, with Lozano as an ideal alternative.
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