Arsenal remain locked in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk regarding their star winger Mykhaylo Mudryk. The Gunners have so far submitted two offers for the 22-year-old but as of yet have not agreed a deal with the Ukrainian side.
Chelsea have also registered an interest in the winger creating further complications for Arsenal. The biggest obstacle to the move is the difference between the Gunners’ and Shakhtar’s valuation of the player.
football.london understands Arsenal want to avoid Mudryk becoming their record signing, eclipsing the £72million they paid for Nicolas Pepe, however the Ukrainian heavyweights currently value Mudryk at €100million (£88.2million). The reported second bid from Arsenal reportedly totalled £62million and the club has been told to raise their offer.
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Many supporters have raised concerns about overpaying for a player who is still inexperienced at the highest level. After a number of Champions League appearances, Mudryk’s time on the field has come in the Ukrainian domestic competitions and a handful of call-ups to the Ukrainian national side.
The figures being discussed would make Mudryk the most expensive player in the club’s current setup. In fact, Arsenal paid roughly a combined £50million in transfer fees for Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson with the latter four coming through the club’s youth system.
However, should these numbers really put off anyone from singing the winger? Arguably if Mudryk arrives and is a huge success, the likelihood is the fee is not going to be thought about.
Ben White provides an excellent comparison. When Arsenal paid in the region of £50million to Brighton to secure the defender, many questioned if this was a smart move by Mikel Arteta and the club to invest so heavily after just one season in England’s top flight.
In reality, White has been a huge success at both centre-half and more recently at right-back. Now, no one is even mentioning how much White cost and instead has been lauding the player for his part in Arsenal’s title-challenging ambitions this season.
Alternatively, it is worth noting that if Mudryk was not a success, then the comparisons to Pepe would start almost immediately. Arteta has been patient in allowing some of his signings time to adapt and this season he is replicating this with Fabio Vieira who missed the preseason with an injury.
Ultimately, it is near-impossible to know prior to a move whether it is good value for money at any level. Even free transfers have backfired on the Gunners regarding wages and performance; just look at Stephan Lichtsteiner, Sead Kolasinac and Willian for examples.
But Ben White’s move in particular should stand as evidence not to judge the fee. Instead, wait to see how they perform and then have the discussion, if it’s even needed, on the price.
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