Your morning Arsenal digest on Sunday, January 8.
Arsenal handed transfer boost as Mykhaylo Mudryk 'makes Chelsea U-turn'
Arsenal have been handed a huge boost in their transfer pursuit of Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk. The 22-year-old is pushing for a move to the Emirates Stadium and continues to drop hints about his future on social media.
Chelsea have launched an audacious attempt to hijack the Gunners' move for Mudryk, with Shakhtar chiefs visiting Stamford Bridge to hold talks with Todd Boehly earlier this week. The Shakhtar forward has hardly hidden his desire to leave the Ukrainian outfit and openly admitted he would be 'sad' if he couldn't force through an exit this month, according to The Mirror.
The Ukrainian international was regularly liking posts on Instagram mentioning his proposed Arsenal switch and even uploaded footage of him watching Arteta's side to his story. New reports have suggested that the 22-year-old may have had his head slightly turned by Chelsea's interest, despite the Gunners sitting five points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
Arsenal have done plenty of groundwork in securing a deal for Mudryk and remain confident that a transfer will be confirmed in the coming weeks. Chelsea's interest means the transfer saga could rumble on right until the very end of the window later this month.
READ MORE: Arsenal's next transfer after Mykhaylo Mudryk deal has already been decided
Edu holds fresh Joao Felix talks over £16m loan deal as Arsenal told Man Utd transfer stance
Arsenal and Manchester United remain interested in signing Joao Felix on-loan from Atletico Madrid in January. The Portuguese forward looks set to leave the Spanish outfit, but a permanent transfer exit seems unlikely at this stage.
According to talkSPORT reporter Anil Kandola, Diego Simeone is becoming increasingly irritated with the Atletico board as he’s made it clear for some time he wants Felix to leave the club. Simeone wants a deal to be in place quickly so that he can invest funds into signing a new striker during the January transfer window.
Neither Arsenal or United are willing to meet Atletico's current demands of a £16million loan package, but both clubs know that he could prove to be a huge addition to their respective squads. Simeone's demands will come as a major boost for both clubs as the Atleti boss puts pressure on the club's board to lower their asking price and allow Felix to leave swiftly.
Mikel Arteta sent major Arsenal warning as Jurgen Klopp comparison rubbished by Liverpool legend
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been told to be "careful" after his touchline outburst against Newcastle United. Arteta was heavily criticised for his emotional protests towards fourth official Jarred Gillett during the Gunners' frustrating 0-0 draw.
Former Liverpool player and SkySports pundit Graeme Souness has told Arteta to be "careful", whilst rubbishing claims that the Spaniard's actions are similar to that of Jurgen Klopp. "The point I make about Arteta is that he just has to be careful," Souness wrote in his column for the Mail.
"This is new territory for him and he has to find a way of coping with the increased levels of expectation. It is different with Jurgen Klopp. His reaction towards officials this season is borne more out of frustration."
This is not the first time Arteta has been the subject of widespread criticism for his behaviour, particularly given he's been known to have lost his cool with officials in the past. When Arsenal failed to take advantage of their chance to secure a Champions League spot last season, Arteta alleged that he'd be banned for "six months" if he gave his honest opinion of the referee's performance.
Fortunately for the Gunners boss, he'll have the opportunity to sit down and speak with new PGMOL boss Howard Webb in person in the coming months.
READ NEXT:
Mykhaylo Mudryk gives Arsenal hope as Kroenke battles Boehly's Chelsea for £85m transfer
Arsenal's next transfer after Mykhaylo Mudryk deal has already been decided
Mikel Arteta to make Marquinhos exit decision as Arsenal take step in Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer
Arsenal transfer news: New Mykhaylo Mudryk alternative eyed as Edu holds Declan Rice advantage
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