Chelsea supporters will be glad to know that Mykhaylo Mudryk has already achieved one of the toughest accomplishments in recent years. The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal at the start of month but the Blues have swooped in and hijacked the deal.
Mudryk has featured 18 times for Shakhtar Donetsk this season, directly contributing towards 18 goals. Particularly, his impressive performances in the Champions League against the likes of Celtic, RB Leipzig and Real Madrid attracted significant interest in his services.
Despite not finding the net against the latter of the three clubs, the Santiago Bernabeu home support were in awe of the Ukraine international's display for a second year in a row. When Mudryk was replaced by Manor Solomon as the Spanish giants beat Shakhtar 2-1 in in 2021, Real Madrid fans rose to their feet and gave the youngster a standing ovation.
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Very few players have managed to earn a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabeu throughout their careers - not even Lionel Messi! But, having done so, Mudryk has joined Andres Iniesta (La Liga, November 2015), Ronaldinho (La Liga, November 2005) and Diego Maradona (Copa del Rey final, 1983) in an elite class.
Graham Potter will be hoping that the youngster can recreate his artistry for Chelsea in the Champions League for years to come. But, it could've been ever so different had Todd Boehly not intervened and hijacked Arsenal's dream move.
Talks between the Gunners and Shakhtar Donetsk were thought to have been progressing well, with Mikel Arteta's side tabling an opening offer in the region of £55million in late December, football.london understands. Since then, Arsenal have remained in contact with the Ukrainian side and, as recently as Friday, there was confidence that they were going to win Mudryk's signature.
But then, on Saturday, Chelsea submitted a bid of their own which is thought to be around £88million, including add-ons; Shakhtar's long-standing asking price. It's believed that the Gunners are not willing to be dragged into a bidding war and are unlikely to match their London rival's offer with a deal now near completion.
Chelsea have released a statement on the matter confirming that the club are in discussions with the Ukrainian side for the transfer of Mudryk. While he may not be able to reach the level of Iniesta, Ronaldinho or Diego Maradona, the winger has been compared to Kylian Mbappe - which isn't bad at all.
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