It is clear as day at this point that Mykhaylo Mudryk is Arsenal‘s priority target in this month’s transfer window, and Fabrizio Romano has revealed the latest on the deal.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Ukraine international for months now. Mudryk too has been dropping hints about his desire to become an Arsenal player – he even admitted in an interview that he cannot say no to Mikel Arteta’s side.
Negotiations with Shakhtar Donetsk, however, haven’t been easy for Arsenal.
Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal will not meet Shakhtar’s demands for Mykhaylo Mudryk
Arsenal want Mudryk and Mudryk wants Arsenal – what could possibly be the issue?
Well, Shakhtar Donetsk made it clear a few months ago that their asking price for the 21-year-old stands at €100 million (£88.5m), and they are still insisting on that figure.
Arsenal have had two offers rejected already – neither was anywhere near the Ukrainian giants’ valuation of Mudryk, who is undoubtedly their most valuable player.
Romano has revealed that is the reason why the move hasn’t gone through yet. He further claimed that Arsenal have absolutely ‘no intention’ of paying the €100 million that Shakhtar are demanding in this window.
He said in a video on his YouTube channel: “What I wanted to explain to you is that we have different kinds of negotiations in the transfer market. Sometimes the clubs are not in direct contact – they just send official bids and get an answer.
“But in this case, Shakhtar and Arsenal are in direct contact – they speak almost every single day. This is why Arsenal have always been confident and optimistic, but also because the player wants Arsenal as full priority. Mudryk is really pushing to go to Arsenal. He wants to go there.
“Between the clubs, the conversation is on a daily basis, they always speak. But Shakhtar, as they told Chelsea last week and Arsenal for a long time, they are still insisting on €100 million.
“What’s going on – Arsenal want to sign Mudryk – but not for €100m. At the moment, Arsenal have no intention to match the full €100 million package. This is why the negotiation is still ongoing.”
Multiple reports over the last few days have claimed that Arsenal are very close to reaching an agreement with Shakhtar to sign Mudryk.
ESPN journalist Jorge Baravalle claimed that Mudryk ‘will be an Arsenal player’, while talkSPORT’s Alex Crook revealed that “Mudryk to Arsenal will happen.”
If Romano is to be believed, however, that is not the case at this moment in time. Edu is constantly in talks with Shakhtar, but an agreement over the fee has not been reached yet.
Arsenal fans will be hoping that will change in the coming days.
SOURCE: tbrfootball.com
