Arsenal have already seen a £55million bid including add-ons for Shakhtar Donetsk forward Mykhaylo Mudryk turned down by the Ukrainian outfit, football.london understands. The Gunners are set to hold further talks over a deal for the 21-year-old who continues to push for a move to the Emirates Stadium.
After Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious knee injury whilst away with Brazil at the World Cup, sporting director Edu Gaspar put plans in place to sign a new forward in January. Now that the transfer market has opened, Arsenal aren't wasting time in looking to get a deal secured for Mudryk who has impressed for Shakhtar this season.
The talented winger has scored 10 goals and provided a further eight assists in just 18 appearances across all competitions, more than each of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Jesus. Mudryk has been compared to the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior given his electric pace and dribbling ability, with Shakhtar hoping to secure a fee similar to that of Jack Grealish's move to Manchester City.
READ MORE: Edu reaches Mykhaylo Mudryk Arsenal agreement amid improved transfer offer
Ukrainian outlet Sport Arena reports that a fee is still yet to be agreed with Shakhtar, but a five-year contract has been finalised with the winger and the Gunners are set to return with an improved offer to the club. Edu has been urged to secure a deal for Mudryk as quickly as possible by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher, who believes the 21-year-old would be a 'really exciting' signing.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said: "Eddie Nketiah has started this second half of the season really well, hasn’t he? I thought losing Gabriel Jesus was going to be a huge blow as I think he’s been outstanding, without scoring the goals.
"It’s probably a little bit like Darwin Nunez at Liverpool, who’s playing really well but could do with a few more goals. Nketiah's form and him getting those goals may just ease Arsenal off in the transfer window."
Nketiah has scored in both games for the Gunners since the Premier League resumed on Boxing Day, netting against West Ham and Brighton. Carragher continued: "They’re after Mykhaylo Mudryk.
"When I’ve seen him play in the Champions League, he’s been left wing and Gabriel Martinelli is there right now, he’s been outstanding. Maybe one of them will go through the middle?
"If they want to compete with Manchester City – and they are doing that right now but I’m talking about in all competitions and for the next few years like Liverpool have done – you need options from the bench. Mikel Arteta knows that better than anyone from his time at Manchester City and I think Mudryk would be a really exciting signing from what we’ve seen in the Champions League."
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