Sporting director Edu Gaspar has been urged to avoid 'upsetting' one Arsenal star with the club's January transfer business. The Gunners are closing in on a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk after tabling two offers below his £88million asking price.
football.london understands an initial bid of £55million was rejected by Shakhtar, with Arsenal improving their offer up to £62million. The latest reports suggest the Kroenke family have given Edu the green light to improve their offer further, closer to Shakhtar's £88million valuation of Mudryk.
The 22-year-old has been actively pushing for a move to the Emirates Stadium despite late interest from London rivals Chelsea. The Ukraine international has his heart set on a move to join Mikel Arteta's squad, but it could upset one player who has been in brilliant form since the Premier League resumed.
READ MORE: Arsenal face double suspension risk with William Saliba and Bukayo Saka for Tottenham clash
Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury during the World Cup and is set to be sidelined until next month, leading to Arteta calling upon Eddie Nketiah in attack. The young striker has proved to be a capable replacement for the Brazilian, scoring five goals in his last five appearances in all competitions - the same number of goals Jesus has netted all season.
Darren Bent has praised Arteta for putting his faith in Nketiah with the 23-year-old repaying his manager on the pitch. Bent told talkSPORT: "We saw glimpses last season. if you can remember the backend of last season, the last seven games, he scored five goals.
"He had the two against Chelsea, where he was brilliant, two against Leeds and one against Everton. The performance against Chelsea was the one I went: ‘oh wow. Okay, maybe he is ready'.
“And again he’s been given opportunities this season. He’s scored a fair few goals in this little run, I think he’s got four in his last five. Fair play to Arteta as well by the way, because he’s gone: ‘you know what, you’re my No. 9’.”
Arsenal legend David Seaman has warned the Gunners that their pursuit of Mudryk could 'upset' Nketiah should he be the one dropped from the starting line-up for the Ukrainian star. Seaman told talkSPORT: “The problem you’ve got is you don’t know how long Gabriel Jesus is going to be out for.
“If that is a shorter term injury then no you don’t [need a replacement]. If it’s longer term then you’ve got to think about it because you don’t want Jesus and Nketiah being back at full fitness and then another striker is overload.
“Does that upset either striker? I’m sure it would upset Nketiah if he wasn’t getting game-time. It is a difficult one and it all depends on the injury status of Jesus, how long is he going to be out for?”
However, speaking after the FA Cup win against Oxford, Arteta hinted that he wants to add more depth to his attack. The Arsenal boss said: "The problem is that we have only one striker and to cope for that many months until Gabby (Jesus) is back is not easy."
If Mudryk does sign, he will likely come straight into the starting line-up given his huge price tag and talent. The 22-year-old is seen more of a winger than a centre-forward, but given Gabriel Martinelli's and Bukayo Saka's amazing form this term, Nketiah is the likeliest player to be dropped by Arteta to accommodate him in the team.
READ NEXT:
Arsenal face double suspension risk with William Saliba and Bukayo Saka for Tottenham clash
Arsenal transfer news: Mykhaylo Mudryk latest as Mikel Arteta sends Edu striker plea
Arsenal player ratings vs Oxford Utd as Nketiah bags brace and Smith Rowe enjoys glowing cameo
Two Arsenal players who could leave in January amid Mykhaylo Mudryk and Joao Felix talks
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
