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Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk told holidaymakers in Dubai he hoped to end up at the Emirates… and the Shakhtar Donestk star “has already agreed personal terms on a five-year contract” with the Gunners.
- The Gunners have rejected an initial offer for the winger as Shakhtar wants £85m
- It is now known that they have made an improved second offer of around £62 million.
- Arsenal have reportedly agreed personal terms and a five-year contract with Mudryk.
- The Ukrainian winger has posted posts of himself on Instagram watching Arsenal matches
Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk has told people on holiday in Dubai that he hoped to end up in the Emirates as the Gunners intensify their search for the Shakhtar Donetsk star.
The Gunners are desperate to land the 21-year-old’s signing, despite Shakhtar demanding £85m.
Mudryk was seen in Dubai in mid-December at the same time as Mikel Arteta’s team, who were competing in the Dubai Super Cup as part of their preparations for the return of the Premier League.
Mykhailo Mudryk was telling people on holiday in Dubai that he hoped to join Arsenal
Mikel Arteta’s Gunners lead the race for Mudryk, but Chelsea are also interested in the full-back
The winger has also been dropping possible hints of a desire to move to north London, including posting a picture on Boxing Day of himself watching Arsenal beat West Ham 3-1.
And on New Year’s Eve, Mudryk posted another Instagram of him seeing ‘2 great managers’: Arteta and his former Shakhtar Donetsk boss Roberto Ze Derbi, who now manages Brighton.
It has now also emerged that Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Mudryk as they ramp up their search to sign the winger on a five-year contract, according to The times.
Sportsmail reported on Monday that the Gunners have made an improved offer for Mudryk, which is understood to be around £44m upfront with add-ons of up to £62m.
Mudryk previously hinted at a possible move to north London when watching Arsenal games at Christmas.
This came after the club had an initial offer of £35 million plus £17 million in add-ons turned down by the Ukrainian club.
Mudryk, who turns 22 on January 5, was named Shakhtar fans’ player of the year for the second time in a row on Friday.
The Ukrainian winger has emerged as one of the best prospects in European football after a phenomenal start to the season that has seen him score 10 goals in 18 away games in all competitions.
Arsenal, who went seven points clear with a 4-2 win over Brighton, look set to land Mudryk’s signature unless west London rivals Chelsea match the higher valuation. that the Ukrainian club has from its winger.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi, who coached Mudryk at Shakhtar Donetsk during the 2021-22 season, was full of admiration and praise for the winger.
Speaking before Brighton’s clash with Arsenal, he said: ‘Mudryk is a fantastic player, but Brighton can’t buy him. I think Mudryk can win the Ballon d’Or in the future. I know the value of Mudryk, he has the potential to win the Ballon d’Or.”