Chelsea are 'very close' to beating London rivals Arsenal to the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, the Ukrainian club has said.
The Blues are expected to wrap up a deal reported to total €100 million (just under £89m), which would meet Shakhtar's valuation of the player for a €70m (£62m) fee plus €30m (£26.6m) in add-ons
In a short statement posted on Saturday, Shakhtar said: "FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk's transfer to Chelsea FC today.
"Parties are very close to agree on player's transfer to the club."
In a statement of their own, Chelsea confirmed the talks.
"Chelsea are discussing terms with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk," the Blues said on their website.
"Should a deal be agreed between the two clubs then the Ukrainian international, who can operate as a winger or a forward, will discuss personal terms with the Blues ahead of a permanent transfer."
Arsenal were previously understood to be leading the race for the 22-year-old, but now look set to miss out on the Ukrainian international.
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