Arsenal are being ‘forced to pay over the odds’ for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, journalist Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.
The Gunners’ pursuit of the highly-rated 22-year-old has been one of the most talked about transfer sagas in recent months and it could drag on for some time yet.
Arsenal transfer news – Mudryk
A recent report from the Daily Mail claimed that Shakhtar are set to reject a second offer from Arsenal for Mudryk totalling around £62 million.
That comes just days after the Ukrainian outfit turned down the capital club’s opening bid of just £52 million despite their director of football Darijo Srna publicly pricing Mudryk at €100 million (£88m).
And the Evening Standard has since stated that Shakhtar are set to hold out for around £85 million after Arsenal’s London rivals Chelsea also declared their interest in the talented attacker.
With Graham Potter’s charges now also in the running for Mudryk, Arsenal no longer have a free run at him, meaning Shakhtar will hope a bidding war ensues, driving his price up even further.
Mudryk previously informed CBS reporter Ben Jacobs that he ‘can’t say no’ to the north London outfit, though, indicating that the Emirates Stadium would be his destination of choice.
What has Jones said about Mudryk?
In an interview with GMS, Jones said: “They’re in a situation where they’re being forced to pay over the odds for a player, and they’ve got to be very, very careful here.
Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know
“I think for a long time, £65 million has generally been the figure I’ve been hearing that Arsenal wouldn’t want to be going over for this player. And I think we have to make comparisons to when they bought Nicolas Pepe, and they overpaid for him, and it didn’t work out.
“Now, I’m not saying that Mudryk would end up being a flop at Arsenal, but they have to be careful that they don’t overpay by a big amount for anyone at the moment.”
Do Arsenal need Mudryk?
Arsenal bolstered their attacking options by bringing in Gabriel Jesus over the summer window, but the departures of Nicolas Pepe and Alexandre Lacazette has left them short on strength in depth.
That issue was highlighted in their recent goalless draw with Newcastle United when manager Mikel Arteta only made one substitution: right-back Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Jesus, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are all currently sidelined through injury, further exposing Arsenal’s limited options in the final third of the pitch.
Therefore, Mudryk’s arrival would surely be warmly welcomed at the Emirates, providing a significant boost in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Premier League title.
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