Arsenal are in discussions to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk ahead of the January transfer window, according to Fabrizio Romano…
What’s the word?
In his latest update for Caught Offside, the renowned transfer guru said that the Gunners were “in contact” over a move for the 21-year-old sensation and he also claimed that: “I think Arsenal is the perfect place for him: Premier League, ambitious project, young players and excellent manager/board.”
However, Shakhtar Donetsk are looking for more than the €55m (£48m) fee that has been rumoured and the Ukraine side are still yet to receive a formal offer.
Should Arsenal splash £50m+ on Mudryk?
Yes, 100%!
No way!
He’ll boost Arsenal’s title chances
It’s no secret that the north London giants are in desperate need of reinforcements heading into 2023 as Mikel Arteta’s side are only a couple of injuries away from disaster.
They have been outstanding since the start of the 2022/23 campaign in pretty much every regard but have had the fortune of a consistently clean bill of health, for the large part.
Key players such as Gabriel Jesus, Granit Xhaka, William Saliba and Bukayo Saka have all remained healthy and are among four of the top seven in terms of most minutes played in the top-flight this term. An injury to any would be a devastating blow, which is why owner Stan Kronke must back Arteta in the transfer market, seeing as they are five points clear at the top heading into Christmas.
Bringing in a signing of Mudryk’s calibre would certainly bolster their title credentials, not only providing valuable cover to Gabriel Martinelli – who will be at the World Cup in Qatar – but to Martin Odegaard and many other players, too.
The 21-year-old dynamo has been in electric form this season, where he has delivered eight goals and seven assists across 15 appearances, including some big performances against the likes of Real Madrid, Celtic and RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League.
His skill set is far more than just goals and assists, with his speed a key asset that allows him to often get the better of his opposite numbers, such is the case as journalist Josh Bunting lauded him as having “a frightening turn of pace and directness.”
Similarly, the ‘Ukrainian Neymar‘ as some call him, has also been dubbed a “very special talent” by broadcaster Joe Flemons, just one of many glowing remarks about the dynamic attacking midfielder.
When compared to his positional peers across Europe, Mudryk is often in a league of his own, ranking inside the top 1% for non-penalty goals, the top 3% for assists, the top 3% for completed dribbles and the top 5% for touches in the opposition’s penalty box (per 90), via FBref, making him a constant threat in the final third for other teams.
So not only can he compete for a place in Arteta’s XI – thus elevating the performances of his teammates in the fight to start every week – but he can also be a valuable and versatile option that the Spaniard will need, with games coming thick and fast in 2023 following the break for the winter World Cup.
Edu and co must sign the Shakhtar sensation to bolster their lofty title dreams.
AND in other news, Arsenal signing £25m “phenomenon” is “a matter of time”, he’s what Arteta needs in January…
