The January transfer window has been officially open for two days and Arsenal are already progressing over a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners may have already seen a £55million bid including add-ons rejected by the Ukrainian outfit, but negotiations are set to continue with the player keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium, football.london understands.
Sporting director Edu Gaspar is hoping to reinforce Mikel Arteta's squad with a new forward and central midfielder in January. Mudryk is the Gunners priority signing, though the north London outfit have acted on their option to extend both William Saliba and Bukayo Saka's contracts by a further year.
The 21-year-old is seen as the ideal player to come in and help aid the Gunners' title push in the second half of the season after they extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points. Gabriel Jesus' injury will see the Brazilian sidelined until February leaving Arteta's options in attack slightly weakened, especially if either Saka or Gabriel Martinelli suffer and injury setback.
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As Arsenal continue talks with Shakhtar over a deal for Mudryk, Gunners fans have been hard at work forming a theory as to just how well negotiations are progressing. One fan has theorised that the Ukrainian winger is in fact in London ahead of a big-money transfer to the Emirates Stadium.
Mudryk posted an update on Instagram of him working hard to maintain his fitness at the start of the new year, leading to one fan investigating the image further to find hints that the 21-year-old is in England. The Ukraine international was pictured using 'Kettler' exercise equipment, which is a UK-based company.
The Shakhtar star is also seen wearing what seems to be hotel slippers, whilst the word "private" is written in English on the door, suggesting he could be staying in a hotel in England. Many fans have joined in helping back up the theory by analysing other things in the image, such as the smoke alarm and other signs pictured in the room Mudryk is exercising in.
Ukrainian outlet Sport Arena have suggested that Edu has already agreed a five-year contract with the player, who has expressed a desire to move to Arsenal after watching their wins over West Ham and Brighton. It remains to be seen whether the Gunners will be able to agree a fee with Shakhtar as they prepare to submit an improved offer after their opening bid was rejected.
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