Shakhtar Donetsk offer Chelsea cryptic Mykhaylo Mudryk…

Shakhtar Donetsk offer Chelsea cryptic Mykhaylo Mudryk transfer hint amid Arsenal bid 'hijack'

Chelsea are seriously stepping up their attempts to sign Arsenal's priority transfer target this window as Todd Boehly looks to continue his aggressive spending spree at Stamford Bridge. Having already signed four player this window it appears that the spending is far from over, according to the latest reports.

As well as the highlight of the window in Joao Felix on a six-month loan, Chelsea have also invested in their long-term project with the signings of Benoit Badiashile from Monaco, Andrey Santos from Vasco da Gama and David Datro Fofana from Molde. There are still pressing issues in midfield and rightback though, as on-field form continues to drop.

Graham Potter has struggled to get the best of his squad since Reece James' injury but the new recruitment team are still focusing on new attackers with talks ongoing for Noni Madueke. Marcus Thuram is also being discussed as an option with his contract expiring in six months.

Hijacking a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk is the latest source of attention though, with the club itself offering a reply to the latest reports. Fabrizio Romano tweeted to explain the latest, with Chelsea officials in Poland to push the deal forward, readying a bid of €100million (£88million).

EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea board now in Poland trying to reach verbal agreement with Shakhtar for Mudryk and hijack the deal! Official bid ready close to €100m. #CFC

Arsenal always been leading the race, in talks with Shakhtar after 3d official bid.

Mudryk position, now crucial. pic.twitter.com/CwWWerfoQ8

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano)

The player has been consistently hinting at his desire to join Arsenal since initial talks were held over the summer. Two bids for the 22-year-old have already gone in and been swiftly declined from the North London side, with Chelsea's valuation much closer to the amount desired by director Darijo Srna.

Shakhtar have been holding out for a sum closer to that of Antony and Jack Grealish with Arsenal's Edu unwilling to go that high so far. Chelsea, looking to take advantage of Arsenal stalling on the deal, are trying their best to disrupt the process and are seeking a verbal agreement.