Arsenal have been given a fresh hint on the transfer value placed on Mykhaylo Mudryk by Shakhtar Donetsk as Chelsea and Todd Boehly look to hijack the deal. The Gunners saw their opening £55million bid, including add-ons, swiftly rejected, but do not appear to be concerned about a potential deal falling through even with interest from Chelsea.
The Blues outlined Mudryk as one of their main January targets and appear to be serious about hijacking the Gunners for Mudryk, with Shakhtar chief Dario Srna set to be in attendance for Chelsea's Premier League fixture against Manchester City tonight (Thursday) to discuss Mudryk with Chelsea representatives.
Shakhtar are proving tough negotiators with many members of their hierarchy discussing a potential move for Mudryk and Chelsea's interest could be used as leverage against Arsenal to ensure the Ukrainian club can secure a better financial deal.
READ MORE: The major reason Arsenal have transfer advantage over Chelsea for World Cup star Declan Rice
Mudryk, who turned 22 today, still wants to join Arsenal despite the recent interest from Chelsea, with the winger dropping his latest hint that he wants to agree a transfer in January by liking a meme that shows him pictured behind bars with the Shakhtar badge behind him.
Many reports also indicated a second bid from Arsenal that was under €70million (£61.9million) will also be rebuffed, with Shakhtar's public valuation of €100million appearing to still be the desired overall fee despite weeks of negotiations.
Shakhtar director Carlo Nicolini has given a fresh update on Mudryk which may indicate either exactly how much or what Arsenal will have to get close to parting ways with if they want to sign Mudryk.
Speaking to Calcio Napoli 24 Live, via CalcioMercato, he said: "Given that we don't have any need for transfers, we said in due time that we evaluate the strongest player in some profiles, even such as Antony. This is the parameter.
"The problem is that Italian clubs don't take advantage of opportunities, like Milan with Enzo Fernandez who are now worth over 100 million. When you get to a player in time, you have to sink the shot, otherwise the prices change."
Antony joined Manchester United from Ajax for €95million (£86million) and Shakhtar have also used Man City's £100million deal for Jack Grealish as the benchmark of what must be paid for Mudryk to leave.
READ NEXT:
Ben White provides Arsenal answer to biggest Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer obstacle amid January move
Arsenal's transfer priority amid Youri Tielemans update and Chelsea's attempted Mudryk hijack
Mykhaylo Mudryk responds to 'trapped' meme amid ongoing Arsenal and Chelsea transfer links
Stan Kroenke completes major £270m deal that could impact Arsenal investment
Arsenal news and transfers LIVE: The latest news, rumours and gossip from the Emirates Stadium
