Mykhaylo Mudryk has once again fuelled transfer speculation over an imminent Premier League move with another dazzling Champions League display. The Shakhtar Donetsk winger netted a stunning individual strike in the recent draw at Celtic which confirmed the Scottish side's exit.
Mudryk picked up possession in the centre circle before driving at the host's defence, cutting inside two men before unleashing a fierce long-range drive beyond Joe Hart's reach. It is the latest highlight in what is shaping up to be an impressive season for the rising star dubbed 'the Ukranian Neymar'.
The in-demand winger has registered six goals and seven assists in all competitions so far, and a big-money move already appears an inevitability. Newcastle United's interest in Mudryk emerged in September, with reports suggesting the Magpies had not been put off by a potential £50 million valuation.
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However, it already appears the Shakhtar star will have plenty of Premier League options to pick from in the coming months. Brentford and Everton are said to have failed in summer approaches, with Arsenal and Manchester City both believed to be interested.
Speaking to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Shakhtar's deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini insists Manchester United's deal for Antony means the club will no longer consider anything below €100m. It is a lofty valuation for a player who was a relative unknown to many just a matter of months ago.
Mudryk has always been earmarked as one of his country's brightest prospects, according to Ukrainian football expert Andrew Todos. But it took the intervention of a current Premier League manager in order for the Ukraine international to shrug off the label of being an 'Instagram footballer'.
Todos told ChronicleLive: "In Ukrainian footballing circles he’s been known for a number of years. His reputation had always been one of a flair focused player with lots of a pace.
"Previous manager Luis Castro didn’t seem to trust him and Mudryk was sent out on a number of loans where he didn’t necessarily impress either. He was at this stage being called an Instagram footballer due to him filming numerous skill videos on the app.
"When Castro left, his replacement Roberto De Zerbi took Mudryk under his wing and started to show faith in the young player. He was given more opportunities in the first team including a debut appearance in the UCL against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu. When he was subbed during that game he left to a standing ovation from the whole stadium.
"It wasn’t until the full-scale invasion and the charity friendlies Shakhtar played during the spring of 2022 when he seemed to have truly fit into his boots as a senior pro. It was during this period where it was reported that he stayed behind after training every day to practice his finishing and would do extra shifts in the gym too."
Mudryk made his senior bow for Ukraine in May, and featured in the country's failed World Cup playoff campaign. This impressive rise has continued into the new season, where he has become a regular goalscorer and provider in the Ukrainian Premier League.
Eddie Howe was said to be in the market for a right-sided forward in the summer, although Miguel Almiron has since made scintillating start to the season. Mudryk himself is said to bear exciting similarities in his game to Newcastle fan favourite Allan Saint-Maximin.
Todos explained: "He’s a very fast, technical wide player. He is one of the fastest players I’ve ever seen, and that's not an exaggeration either. He’s got a low centre of gravity and strong close ball control, especially when he’s driving with the ball.
"He works really well on the counter attack too when Shakhtar break and exploit his explosive pace to beat backtracking defenders. He still probably could work on his decision making and his final pass isn’t always accurate but he’s been improving in that department as the season has progressed.
"He’s also keen on incorporating flair into his game too but not to an overkill extent. He does remind me of Saint-Maximin, but a bit more direct in terms of playing style."
Newcastle currently occupy a top-four spot, but talk of qualifying for next season's Champions League is sensibly being played down by Howe and supporters. However, it could be prove a crucial factor for Mudryk when it comes to deciding upon his next destination.
The project at St James' Park and current formation would likely afford the winger consistent starts in a team preparing to challenge for silverware in the coming seasons. Mudryk has already dismissed reports suggesting he is open to a move to Tyneside though, and his experience in this season's Champions League could make him reluctant to drop out of the competition.
Todos said: "If Newcastle were to qualify for the UCL in the summer then it quite possibly could appeal to Mudryk. He was allegedly not overly keen on a move to Brentford as a result of their lack of European football.
"It seems Champions League football is one of his priorities as his chances to immediately break into the first team. With the way Howe’s side play with a focus on the wide players to create often and even provide goals; Mudryk would be a good fit.
"The question would then lead to whether he could displace Saint-Maximin. It is worth noting that a recent article from Football Insider claimed Mudryk had said he was ready for a move to Newcastle. A Ukrainian football media IG page asked the winger via direct message whether it was true to which Mudryk responded with: ‘Disinfo-"
Shakhtar face a straight shootout with RB Leipzig in their final Group F fixture on Wednesday in order to determine who will join Real Madrid in the knockout stages. It is a match which could prove pivotal for interested clubs such as Newcastle who might be mulling over a January move.
It is already clear that Shakhtar will not entertain any cut-price deals, judging by their declaration of an £87m valuation. But even if a club did manage to reach an agreement on the fee, the guarantee of European football after Christmas could block any prospect of a mid-season departure for Mudryk.
Todos added: "In reality, somewhere in the realm of €60m-70m is probably where I see Shakhtar accepting a bid for him for. The club did reject a bids of €30M and under from Everton, Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
"A January move depends on two factors. The first being if any club can put a bid in that comes close to meeting Shakhtar’s expectations.
"Secondly and probably the more important one is if Shakhtar make the UCL knockout rounds. They’re also guaranteed at least Europa League football, so I’d expect Shakhtar to opt to let him go in the summer over the winter."
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