Arsenal have made their first attempt to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk less than a week before the January transfer window opens. The Gunners have monitored the 21-year-old for some time and are now seeking his services for the second half of the season.
football.london reported yesterday that an official bid had been made to Shakhtar prior to Arsenal's 3-1 Premier League win over West Ham. It is thought that the offer is in the region of £55million including add-ons.
Mudryk has made his stance on a move to Emirates Stadium very clear since the speculation began. In November, the forward told Oleksandr Zinchenko's wife, Vlada Zinchenko, he keeps track of Mikel Arteta side's results before claiming he would not be able to say no to a move to the Emirates Stadium.
READ MORE: Mykhaylo Mudryk fresh Arsenal transfer stance revealed after social media hint dropped
With Mudryk thought to be pushing for the move, the Gunners face a tough spell of negotiations with Shakhtar next month. The £55million offer falls short of the £80million asking price of the Ukrainian side meaning an increase to both the initial fee and add ons may be required to convince Shakhtar.
Previously, Shakhtar's chief executive Sergei Palkin revealed his uncertainty over whether Mudryk would leave in January. He said: "To be honest, I do not know. At the moment, we are quite far from what we want and what clubs propose.
"It’s not so far but it is not what we need. We have discussions. One club, another club, they negotiate. We are in the process. Will it close this month? I don’t know. It is maybe 50-50 with regards to the winter transfer window. I don’t want to talk about figures now. We are in discussions. We have interest from some English clubs and we are in the process."
Arsenal's move for Mudryk prior to the opening of the January window does not come as a surprise following Arteta's comments last week. The 40-year-old confirmed the club's desire to add fresh faces to the squad early in the window, just like they did in the summer.
"We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January," the Spaniard said ahead of the West Ham game.
"This is idealistic. Sometimes it is not realistic. But obviously, if you ask my opinion, as quick as possible we want the players in to get settled."
READ NEXT:
Nketiah's most important goal, talisman Odegaard: Arsenal winners and losers after West Ham win
Every word Mikel Arteta said on Mykhaylo Mudryk bid, Arsene Wenger return and Nketiah's display
Arsenal player ratings vs West Ham as Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard star
Edu given key Arsenal backing to complete striker transfer to replace Gabriel Jesus in January
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
