Arsenal target Mudryk left shocked by Shakhtar’s price tag
Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk has admitted that he was shocked after learning of Shakhtar Donetsk’s valuation of him ahead of the January transfer window.
The Ukrainian has been in superb form for Shakhtar this term with eight goals and eight assists from 16 outings. Five of those contributions came in the Champions League.
Ahead of the New Year, Arsenal are reported to have held positive talks over signing Mudryk and it was recently claimed that he could be available for £60-65 million.
Shakhtar’s football director Dario Srna has since revealed that it would take £87m (€100m) to sign him.
Mudryk has now admitted that he was left ‘shocked’ and ‘very upset’ by the comments.
He told Sport Arena: “When I found out about my price, I wasn’t just surprised – I was shocked. I have a long-term contract with Shakhtar [set to expire in December 2026], I give all my strength and energy so that Shakhtar achieves maximum results… but every football player has a dream to play in a top club and in a top championship – I am no exception.”
“But I am 100 per cent sure that they are unlikely to buy a player from the championship of Ukraine for 100 million. I will not hide that I was very upset. The amount of 100 million puts a barrier for my transition to the top championship, which I so dreamed of. I can’t say that my dream was killed, but wounded – that’s for sure.”
Arsenal unlikely to meet Shakhtar’s demands for Mudryk
Mudryk has been on the Gunners’ radar since the last transfer window. They are weighing up a fresh approach for him, but a deal seems unlikely unless Shakhtar significantly lower their demands.
Arsenal have been willing to spend big sums on young stars such as Ben White and Gabriel Jesus, but they arrived at the club with sufficient first-team experience in English football.
On the contrary, Mudryk is still unproven at the highest level. His Champions League displays have been impressive, but Premier League football would present a more stiffer challenge.
The youngster recently talked a possible move to the Emirates Stadium in January but with Shakhtar’s latest stance, his chances of joining the club seem improbable in the near future.
There are only a few clubs in Europe that can afford him such as Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. Arsenal are unlikely to make such a huge outlay.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
