Good morning Arsenal fans
Shakhtar Donetsk are set to turn down Arsenal’s improved £62million bid for Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Gunners launched a £52m opening bid for Mudryk, which was promptly rejected.
And according to the Mail, their follow up offer will also be denied by Shakhtar.
The Ukrainian giants value their prized asset at around £88m in the January transfer window.
And Chelsea entering the race has only strengthened their bargaining position.
The Blues are yet to make an official bid for the winger but are set to open negotiations for his signature this week.
Thus, Arsenal will have to increase their bid for Mudryk after Chelsea got involved in the bidding war for the player.
The Gunners are confident of beating the West Londoners to Mudryk – amid claims he watches their games and team-mates joke he’s already joined.
The 21-year-old has reportedly held talks with the North Londoners after admitting he’s keen to make the move.
According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, the forward’s Shakhtar team-mates have joked since the summer he has already switched to the Emirates.
Jacobs also claims Mudryk is in “regular contact” with Ukraine team-mate Oleksandr Zinchenko, who currently plays in North London, and watches “almost every Arsenal game”.
Arsenal expect to soon agree personal terms with the Ukraine international, who has previously stated he “can’t say no” to the Premier League leaders.
Meanwhile, Shakhtar Donetsk director Darijo Srna will be in London this week to discuss a potential deal over Mudryk.
Srna is expected to attend Thursday’s clash between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano reports Shakhtar will be in communication with the Blues over Mudryk but he adds that the Gunners remain the 21-year-old’s top priority.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have “cooled” their interest in signing Leicester star Youri Tielemans, whom they have been targeting for months.
Tielemans has less than six months left on his deal with the Foxes and is free to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas clubs.
However, Football London are now claiming that the Gunners “are not thought to be keen” on the midfielder.
With Gabriel Jesus ruled out through injury, manager Mikel Arteta is desperate to add attacking reinforcements during the January transfer window instead.