Arsenal are edging ever closer towards a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and have now agreed personal terms with the Ukrainian, according to reports.
The table-topping Gunners are looking to bolster their attacking options this month and want to add another forward to their ranks before the January window closes, particularly with Gabriel Jesus sidelined.
The Ukrainian winger is desperate to move to the Emirates this month (Picture: Getty)
Mudryk has been on their radar since the summer, though Shakhtar are adamant they want a fee in the region of the £85million Manchester United spent on Antony.
Arsenal have been locked in talks for weeks and saw an opening offer worth £35.5m up front plus a further £17.7m in add-ons rejected by the Ukrainian club.
The Gunners have now returned with a second, improved offer – though it is still believed to fall significantly below Shakhtar’s valuation.
But, in more positive news, The Times are reporting that personal terms will not be an issue and Mudryk has already agreed a five-year contract with the Gunners.
Mudryk is desperate to complete a move to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)
Shakhtar have given Arsenal permission to speak to Mudryk over terms, which suggests an agreement may be close, and the 21-year-old is desperate to move to the Emirates.
Mudryk has watched the Gunners’ most recent two Premier League outings against Brighton and West Ham, posting updates on his Instagram page, and uploaded a highlights reel of his performances featuring the lyric, ‘Still gotta see the Gunners win the Premier League’.
The winger is due to meet up with Shakhtar for their training camp next week in preparation for the resumption of the Ukrainian top flight, though both the player and Arsenal want a deal wrapped up before then.
Mudryk gave an interview to Oleksandr Zinchenko’s wife, Vlada Sedan, back in November when he made it clear he would like to join Arsenal, saying: ‘I check on them on MyScore and know when they’re playing I can check on them.
‘I also watch them too. They are a very dynamic side, in general not just in controlling possession but also in scoring goals.’
He added: ‘From a purely hypothetical perspective if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I’d probably choose Arsenal.’
Gabriel Jesus reveals potential Arsenal injury return boost with social media hint
Gabriel Jesus reveals a likely injury return boost with his latest social media post as he recovers from the injury he suffered while representing Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar
Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus has provided an injury update
Arsenal could be without star striker Gabriel Jesus for up to four months after the Brazilian underwent surgery on his knee earlier this month. Jesus has been a key player for the Gunners since joining from Manchester City in a £45million deal in the summer and he’s integral to the way Mikel Arteta sets his side up.
It was confirmed that Jesus suffered medial ligament damage against Cameroon in the group stages of the World Cup.
However, he has provided Arsenal fans with a hint that could spell positive news for the Gunners. The Brazilian took to Instagram to provide an update.
Jesus released an Instagram story where he is seen throwing his crutches away and captioning the post ‘Freedom Sang’, which suggests he no longer needs support during his recovery from the knee injury.
Despite Jesus’ absence, Arsenal have still shown similar form as to when he was in the side. Arteta’s players have won their last two fixtures since the return of the Premier League after the World Cup break which sees the Gunners lead the Premier League table by seven points.
Eddie Nketiah has been tasked with replacing Jesus when leading the line for the Gunners, and he has responded excellently by scoring in both Premier League games that he has started in against West Ham and Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jesus’ progression in his recovery from the knee injury will still be welcome news for Arsenal, who were already short in firepower even before the Brazilian’s setback. But, with the forward now seemingly off crutches, his return could come sooner than anticipated.
SOURCE: metro.co.uk, football.london
