Chelsea are said to have already planned the unveiling of Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports. The 22-year-old was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal at the start of month but the Blues appear to have swooped in and snatched the winger from their rival's grasp.
Fabrizio Romano has reported that the Ukraine international's medical tests with the Blues are underway as the club plan to have all official paperwork signed in the coming hours. It's said that Mudryk, who qualifies as an under-21 this season, will pen a deal which keeps him at Stamford Bridge until June 2030, easing the clubs Financial Fair Play restrictions due to amortisation.
According to FFP, only £40million will reportedly appear on this years records with Chelsea to pay the remaining balance over the seven-and-a-half-year deal that the winger is contracted to. This is a far more cost efficient process for the Blues than paying a lump sum fee up front - for example, the Enzo Fernandez saga.
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With the transfer of the Mudryk seemingly near completion, TheSecretScout has revealed that higher-ups at Chelsea want to deal gift wrapped ahead of the clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday, January 15, at Stamford Bridge. It's said that the Blues hierarchy didn't want London rivals Arsenal securing a marquee arrival ahead of them.
Talks between the Gunners and Shakhtar Donetsk were thought to have been progressing well, with Mikel Arteta's side tabling an initial bid in the region of £55million in late December, football.london understands.
Since then, the north Londoners had remained in contact with the Ukrainian side and, as recently as Friday, there was confidence that they were completing a deal. 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. Chelsea have released a statement on the matter, confirming the club are in discussions with the Ukrainian side for the transfer of Mudryk.
"Chelsea are discussing terms with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk," an official club statement read. "Should a deal be agreed between the two clubs then the Ukrainian international, who can operate as a winger or a forward, will discuss personal terms with the Blues ahead of a permanent transfer."
With many Chelsea fans under the weather at the moment amid a poor vein of form, Mudryk's arrival could reinvigorate the supporters and squad alike.
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