Chelsea are interested in signing Mykhaylo Mudryk from Arsenal, although the Gunners still have a significant advantage over their London rivals.

Arsenal hold a key advantage over Chelsea in the transfer battle for Mykhaylo Mudryk (Image: Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Chelsea’s recent interest in acquiring Mykhaylo Mudryk from under the noses of London rivals Arsenal in January has understandably caused some concern among supporters. The Gunners have been pushing for a move since the summer, but Todd Boehly could plot a transfer hijack in January if a deal cannot be agreed between Shakhtar and Arsenal.

An end result to this chaotic transfer saga appears close with Shakhtar in negotiations with Arsenal after their initial £55million bid, including add-ons, was rejected. A second offer seems to have arrived in the region of £60million as per Ben Jacobs, although the Ukrainian club’s demands for their 21-year-old star are yet to have been met.

Arsenal’s reluctance to meet those demands could see Chelsea target an advantage with Mudryk high up on their list of targets. Shakhtar’s director Dario Srna will be in London this week to discuss Mudryk’s future although he will not in north London.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Srna will be attending Chelsea’s Premier League clash against Manchester City on Thursday, with talks over Mudryk joining the Blues instead of Arsenal to be discussed.

Despite Chelsea’s priority currently on sealing the transfer of Enzo Fernandez, their main focus could quickly turn to Mudryk, with reports indicating the deal for Fernandez to arrive at Stamford Bridge is at an advanced stage. Although Arsenal fans have been given a reason to relax after the latest claims on Mudryk’s own priority.

Ben Jacobs has revealed that the Blues are yet to put in any kind of offer for Mudryk and that the man at the centre of the transfer saga is still pushing for Arsenal. He also goes on to note that there is a player who could play a pivotal role in securing the transfer for Arsenal.

Summer arrival Oleksandr Zinchenko has been in regular contact with Mudryk as both players are from Ukraine. With his wife Vlada Zinchenko interviewing Mudryk towards the end of 2022 where the topic of moving to Arsenal did arise.

Chelsea have not yet made any offer (even a verbal one) for Mudryk. Todd Boehly will discuss the opportunity further with senior Shakhtar representatives at Stamford Bridge. #CFC know a successful hijack won’t come cheap or at value and that Mudryk is still pushing for Arsenal.

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 4, 2023

Mudryk himself has also continuously dropped hints over his transfer preference by posting several images in recent weeks of him watching Arsenal in action, most recently labelling Arteta and his former manager Roberto De Zerbi as “two top coaches”.

source: https://www.football.london/