Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Carlo Nicolini has admitted that Mykhaylo Mudryk will cost "more than Antony" as Arsenal track the talented Ukrainian forward.
The 21-year-old has been in sensational form so far this season, scoring six goals and grabbing seven assists in 11 matches across all competitions. Mudryk has hit the headlines in the Champions League for some impressive individual performances as he netted the equaliser in Shakhtar's 1-1 draw against Celtic on Tuesday.
Arsenal were linked with the exciting winger in the summer but were unable to get a deal done, and there is no doubt Mudryk's valuation has more than doubled in the last two months. Manchester City have been touted with a move for the player, while Newcastle United are reportedly interested as they continue to strengthen their ranks.
But director Nicolini believes any club will have to pay in excess of €100million to sign Mudryk - with the Shakhtar chief claiming that he is worth more than Antony. Manchester United completed the signing of Ajax winger Antony in the summer, becoming the Red Devils' second-most expensive signing behind Paul Pogba.
He told Calciomercato.it program, TV Play: "Is €40m enough to buy him? We do not speak to these figures. Not even for €50m, we don’t even call the president to communicate the offer. We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100m.
"We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to make phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic. But in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money."
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Mudryk came through the Shakhtar academy, before making his first-team debut in 2018. However, the Konstantingrad-born wide man didn't end up really making his mark at the club until last season, where he notched 11 goal contributions in 19 matches before the domestic campaign was halted due to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Speculation is continuing to rise on Mudryk's future and Nicolini has discussed who could sign him in due course. Mudryk has been compared to Neymar following a number of excellent displays.
Nicolini added: "The headlights are on him, but I say that the Italians always come later. Now it is easy to observe him, but it was possible to do it before. The Italians bring low proposals, we don’t even sit down to negotiate.
"There are many English candidates, there is the Spanish on duty, the French on duty, but now it takes the right amount to take him away. Together with Mbappè, Leao and Vinicius, Mudryk is the strongest player in that position.
"Oscillating between Arsenal and Manchester City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player. But there are also other clubs that can spend right away."
