Mikel Arteta has remained coy on Arsenal's transfer push for Mykhaylo Mudryk just ahead of the January window opening. The Gunners' admiration of the 21-year-old is no secret, with football.london understanding that a £55million bid for the star winger was rejected earlier in the week.
Mudryk is the top target heading into the January window, having also been mentioned heavily in the summer too. Speaking ahead of the next match against Brighton, Arteta wasn't being drawn into speculating around the Shakhtar Donetsk player though. His side first face Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton in a bid to extend the gap at the top of the league for the new year.
Arsenal are currently five points clear of second placed Manchester City, who host Everton at 3pm on December 31. The gap could be as little as two points by the end of play on New Years Eve or as much as eight.
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Despite the brilliant form so far this season though, there is still a strong desire to now strike whilst the iron is hot and bring in extra reinforcements to strengthen a title charge. Gabriel Jesus' injury at the World Cup only further demonstrated the need for that. Eddie Nketiah may have chipped in against West Ham with a goal but Arteta is still keen on bringing in more firepower.
Mudryk is seen as that player but the Ukrainian side are playing hardball over a deal due to the precedent set in the market by Antony and Jack Grealish in the past 12 months. When asked about the player though, Arteta gave little away, saying: "I cannot talk about players that are not Arsenal."
Shakhtar's own camp have been much more open to talks though. Vice director Carlo Nicolini recently said: "€60million (£53million) it's not enough to sign Mudryk.
"Our director said that we need a bid closer to the Jack Grealish fee (£100million) than Antony (£86million) to sell Mudryk. We're not even considering a bid with €40million (£35million) as a fixed fee."
CEO Serhii Palkin has also offered his opinion, adding: "Negotiations are continuing. We receive offers, but they are not the ones we would like to see on our table. We are open to negotiations, ready to exchange ideas and figures. If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time."
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