Arsenal have been told that Shakhtar Donetsk are willing to sell Mykhaylo Mudryk if a bid arrives that matches the Ukrainian clubs value of their star asset. The Gunners saw a £55million bid including add-ons for Mudryk rejected, football.london understands, however, they are expected to return with a higher offer for the 21-year-old.
On the eve of the January transfer window opening, the Mudryk transfer saga could reach a conclusion over the next few weeks with Arsenal sending their opening bid to Shakhtar earlier this week.
With Shakhtar representatives sending constant reminders to any interested Mudryk suitors, it was highly unlikely Arsenal's opening bid was going to be accepted but it's also equally likely that the Gunners were aware of that and it was just a formal offer to begin negotiations.
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Those reminders have often included Shakhtar bringing up the names of Antony and Jack Grealish - who each made big-money moves in recent summer transfer windows - as reference points for how much Arsenal must pay for Mudryk. Antony moved to Old Trafford for £86million in the summer while Grealish joined Manchester City for £100million in 2021.
Arsenal were given a reason as to why their bid was rejected with Shakhtar vice director Carlo Nicolini telling Italian news outlet Calciomercato: "€60million (£53million) it's not enough to sign Mudryk.
"Our director said that we need a bid closer to the Jack Grealish fee (£100million) than Antony (£86million) to sell Mudryk. We're not even considering a bid with €40million (£35million) as fixed fee."
Edu and Mikel Arteta are likely planning their next move for Mudryk and while Shakhtar's stance on selling the winger has remainder firm, CEO Serhii Palkin has given Arsenal a fresh boost that a deal can be agreed in January.
Palkin told Shakhtar’s website: "Negotiations are continuing. We receive offers, but they are not the ones we would like to see on our table. We are open to negotiations, ready to exchange ideas and figures. If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time."
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