It's been revealed that Chelsea doubled Arsenal's contract offer in order to pip their London rivals to a blockbuster deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners had seemingly been in pole position to wrap up a deal for Mudryk, 22, who had been identified as Mikel Arteta's top January transfer target before the winter window had even opened.
However, while Arsenal attempted to thrash out a deal with Shakhtar Donetsk at the third time of asking on Friday, Chelsea snuck in to snare the sought-after forward.
The Blues, who have since been having plenty of fun at Arsenal's expense on social media, sent director of global talent and transfers, Ben Winstanley, to finalise an agreement with delegates of the Ukrainian giants, who will receive an initial fee of €70million (£62m) for their prized asset, with the possibility of a further €30m (£25m) in various add-ons and performance related bonuses.
The Independent have now outlined that, as well as gazumping their rivals over a transfer fee, Chelsea informed Mudryk they would double the amount that Arsenal were prepared to pay the winger, who now will pocket in excess of £100,000-a-week after putting pen to paper on a lucrative eight-and-a-half year contract.
Mudryk, who has played just 65 club games across his career to date, was named as Shakhtar’s player of the year on Saturday; barely 24 hours before his mega-money move to Stamford Bridge was officially confirmed.
Reacting to the move, Mudryk, who dropped several hints on social media that he was keen to join Arsenal, said: "I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea.
"This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career. I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff."
Join the debate! Do you think Arsenal will regret missing out on a deal for Mudryk? Let us know here.
Blues co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali also reacted to the move, which was confirmed midway through Sunday's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. They told Chelsea's official website: "We are delighted to welcome Mykhailo to Chelsea.
"He’s a hugely exciting talent who we believe will be a terrific addition to our squad both now and in the years to come. He will add further depth to our attack and we know he’ll get a very warm welcome to London."
Boehly and Eghbali have already sanctioned moves for Benoit Badiashile, David Fofana and Andrey Santos in the January window, while adding the loan signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
After impressing initially on his debut, Felix was sent off in Thursday’s 3-1 loss at neighbours Fulham: a result which leaves Chelsea 19 points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal and having played a game more.
