Arsenal report: Gunners readying big-money bid for winger dubbed 'Ukrainian Neymar'
Arsenal are said to be stepping up their efforts to secure the services of one of Europe's most prodigious attacking talents
Arsenal are reportedly working on a bid potentially worth more than £50m for Shakhtar Donetsk sensation Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Gunners have been strongly linked with the 21-year-old winger – who's drawn comparisons with Neymar – since the summer; Shakhtar sporting director Carolo Nicolini recently confirmed that the North London club had "taken an interest" in Mudryk, along with Manchester City.
And according to Italian journalist Nicolo Schira, Arsenal are now lining up an offer of roughly €50-60m (£43-52m) for the Ukraine international.
Schira reported back in August that the Gunners had agreed a four-year deal with Mudryk, only for Shakhtar to reject their approach.
But the Premier League leaders don't appear to have been deterred from pursuing the tricky attacker – despite talk this week that they may set their sights elsewhere.
Mudryk started every game of Shakhtar's Champions League campaign, scoring three goals and setting up another two as the Ukrainian champions finished third in their group.
He could yet turn on the style against some of Europe's top teams later this season, though, with Shakhtar dropping into the Europa League play-off round.
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Equally, Mudryk – who's won eight caps for Ukraine – could find himself playing in the Europa League for Arsenal if they make a January swoop (there has been no 'cup-tied' rule in UEFA competition since 2018/19).
A switch to the Emirates Stadium would see Mudryk join Arsenal for the second time ...: he had a short loan stint with the Gunners' Kyiv-based namesakes in 2019.
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Could Mudryk to Arsenal already be a done deal? His Shakhtar teammate Anatoliy Trubin has joked that that's the case.
Meanwhile, the Gunners have been linked with two South American wonderkids in Brazilian midfielder Danilo and Uruguay international Facundo Torres.
Away from transfer news, Mikel Arteta's side returned to the top of the Premier League table as Gabriel's goal clinched a 1-0 London derby win at Chelsea on Sunday.
Tom Hancock started freelancing for FourFourTwo in April 2019 and has also written for the Premier League and Opta Analyst, among others. He supports Wycombe Wanderers and has a soft spot for Wealdstone. A self-confessed statto, he has been known to watch football with a spreadsheet (or several) open...