Shakhtar Donetsk manager Igor Jovicevic has urged his star player Mykhaylo Mudryk to resist leaving the club for Arsenal in January and to continue his development in Ukraine.
Mudryk has long been admired by the Gunners after busting on to the scene with Shakhtar. The 21-year-old has warranted interest from across Europe after being involved in 18 goals in 18 games this season - including five goal involvements in six Champions League games.
Rumours intensified earlier this month when Mudryk went on record to reveal that he keeps track of the Gunners' results and admires the way Mikel Arteta's men play football. However, technical director Edu may be forced to deploy his most efficient negotiation skills to lure Mudryk to north London after Shakhtar's Director of Football Dario Srna insisted it would take close to £90 million acquire his services.
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Now, as we approach the January transfer window, Jovicevic has insisted Mudryk should remain with the Ukrainian giants to fulfil his development before securing a big move. "This management will decide what to do when there is an option to sell a football player, the star of the team," he said after his side's 3-2 win over Vorskla.
"As a coach, of course, I would like such a player to play as long as possible in the team, to build a quality Shakhtar around him, so that everyone gains momentum, gains experience and does what, perhaps, the team once did in the Champions League.
"With our efforts, talent and ambition, I think we could do it together eventually. They are young, I say again, young.
"There are several football players in Dinamo (Zagreb), for example, Guardiol, who plays for Leipzig and today played in the World Cup [for Croatia], the Spaniard Dani Olmo, who played in Zagreb.
"Each of them played at least 100 matches for the club and only then moved from the intermediate club, and not immediately to Barcelona and Manchester City.
"This is one small example of how to build your career correctly, so that you reach the highest level already ready, powerful. To be able to say “I’m here.”.
"However, the coach is always a bit selfish and wants to have quality players in his team as long as possible to give results and excitement to the fans."
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