Mykhaylo Mudryk is undoubtedly one of the best young players in the world, along with his experience playing in the UEFA Champions League, he is at the top of the Wishlist of the biggest clubs in Europe, as Arsenal setting him as their primary target.

Arsenal’s initial bid of £55 million plus add-ons for Mykhaylo Mudryk was rejected by Shakhtar Donetsk, so the Gunners are preparing a new offer for the player. Carlo Nicolini, the president of Shakhtar, believes the club should be asking for £100 million, but Cody Gakpo’s transfer to Liverpool for £37 million may prompt the Ukrainian club to lower their valuation.

🚨| @David_Ornstein on Mudryk: “Arsenal have had two bids rejected, but their interest remains strong. I think they are staying calm and they’ll continue the conversations with Shakhtar. There is optimism at the Emirates Stadium that with patience they will get this done.” [NBC]

— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) January 5, 2023

Carlo Nicolini has recently warned Mudryk’s bidders that the winger will not come cheap, citing the monstrous transfer fee Ajax received for Antony as “the benchmark” in the market for a player of Mudryk’s caliber.

“Given that we have no need for transfers, we said in due time that we evaluate the player stronger than some other profiles, such as Antony. This is the benchmark,” Nicolini told CalcioNapoli24 on Thursday.

🗣️| Shakhtar Donetsk director Carlo Nicolini on Mykhaylo Mudryk:

“Given that we have no need for transfers, we said in due time that we evaluate the player stronger than some other profiles, such as Antony [Man Utd]. This is the benchmark.” [CalcioNapoli24 via @MirrorFootball]

— Arsenal Buzz (@ArsenalBuzzCom) January 6, 2023

“The problem is that Italian clubs don’t take advantage of opportunities, like Milan with Enzo Fernandez, who is now worth over 100 million. When you arrive in time on a player you have to sink the shot, otherwise the prices change.”

Clearly, Antony’s transfer to Manchester United Set a new standard for the transfer market, and it will affect other clubs’ desire to buy players on the cheap, as Liverpool’s acquisition of Cody Gakpo for such a low price is unusual these days.

🚨 BREAKING: Liverpool have reached an agreement with PSV to sign Cody Gakpo 🤝

— 433 (@433) December 26, 2022

Chelsea reportedly intends to offer Shaktar Donetsk $60 million in addition to add-ons, which could encourage the Ukrainian club to sell Mudryk to the Blue side of London for a higher price.

Chelsea reportedly intends to offer Shaktar Donetsk $60 million in addition to add-ons, which could encourage the Ukrainian club to sell Mudryk to the Blue side of London for a higher price.

Latest on Mudryk.

— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) January 5, 2023

Mudryk has already expressed his desire to swap Shakhtar for Arsenal, as he stated recently “Arsenal has a very good coach and is a very good team. I enjoy their style of play. From my standpoint, I cannot refuse.”

As things stand, it will be a hell of a battle to land the superstar. We will keep you informed of the most recent news.