Arsenal can’t understand why Shakhtar Donetsk value Mykhaylo Mudryk at €100m as they consider a new offer, according to reports.
The Gunners are determined to strengthen their squad in the January transfer window with Mikel Arteta leading them to the summit of the Premier League table.
Arsenal beat West Ham 3-1 in their first Premier League game back after the World Cup break to maintain their five-point lead over second-placed Manchester City.
New signings will only serve to strengthen their position, especially with striker Gabriel Jesus likely to be out for at least a couple of months with a knee injury.
When asked if Arsenal fans can expect the club to be busy in the transfer market next month, Arteta told reporters: “We are going to be active, and active means always looking to strengthen the team.
“This squad still doesn’t have the luxury of not maximizing every single window and we have to do that because it’s really important.
“But then we want to get the right profile, the right player and a player that is really going to impact the team and take us to the next level.”
And now Ukrainian website Sportanalytic.com claim that baffled Arsenal ‘still cannot understand’ why Shakhtar are demanding ‘as much as €100m’ for Mudryk.
The Times have now also reported that the Gunners are ‘considering making Shakhtar Donetsk an improved offer’ for Mudryk ‘after seeing a £45 million bid rejected‘.
Arsenal are ‘keen to win the race’ for the 21-year-old and the Ukrainian side consider their prized asset ‘available during the January transfer window but at the right price’.
The Times adds:
‘Negotiations with Arsenal continued on Thursday and the north London club are optimistic that a deal with the Ukrainian side can eventually be reached.
‘Mudryk is known to be keen on making the move to the Emirates Stadium but Shakhtar are notoriously stubborn negotiators.’
Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin revealed yesterday that he was set to “exchange ideas and figures” with Arsenal in a “phone conversation”.
“Negotiations are continuing. We receive offers, but they are not the ones we would like to see on our table. Now, literally in 5 minutes, I will have a phone conversation with Arsenal,” Palkin revealed.
“We are open to negotiations, ready to exchange ideas and figures. If we will agree, then let it be so. If we will not, then let it be another time.”
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