Manchester City and Arsenal are interested in Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to the Ukrainian club’s deputy sporting director, Carlo Nicolini.
The winger has enjoyed a good start to this season, scoring six goals and registering seven assists from 11 matches. His fine form has not gone unnoticed.
Arsenal have been regularly named as one of the 21-year-old’s suitors, and the Gunners are now joined by Manchester City.
Nicolini made this claim about the two Premier League sides when discussing the chances of the Ukraine international ending up in Serie A.
“The headlights are on him, but I say that the Italians always come later. Now it is easy to observe him, but it was possible to do it before. The Italians bring low proposals, we don’t even sit down to negotiate,” he told Calciomercato.it’s program, TV Play.
“There are many English candidates, there is the Spanish on duty, the French on duty, but now it takes the right amount to take him away. Together with Mbappè, Leao and Vinicius, Mudryk is the strongest player in that position.
“Oscillating between Arsenal and Manchester City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player. But there are also other clubs that can spend right away.”
Earlier reports had indicated that a fee over €50m is needed to take the attacker away from Shakhtar. However, their deputy sporting director has warned Arsenal, Manchester City and other clubs they will need to spend big in order to secure the player’s services.
“Is €40m enough to buy him? We do not speak to these figures. Not even for €50m, we don’t even call the president to communicate the offer. We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100m,” Nicolini stressed.
“We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to make phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic. But in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money.”
With Nicolini confirming Arsenal and Manchester City’s interest, it remains to be seen if either of them can convince Mudryk and Shakhtar in the coming windows.
