ARSENAL have received a huge boost in the race to sign Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to reports.
The Gunners are keen to bolster their title hopes by recruiting a winger in January – with Mudryk fitting the bill.
SunSport revealed that club bosses are willing to inject £50million into the January transfer kitty given their side’s blistering start to the season.
Their hopes of signing Mudryk took a hit earlier this month, when Shakhtar chiefs demanded £88.8million for their star man – comparing him to Manchester United ace Antony.
According to the Mirror, however, the Ukrainian club have now significantly lowered their demands.
They claim that their asking price for Mudryk has been slashed by more than half to £40m.
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The development comes after the 21-year-old admitted to being “wounded” by Shakhtar’s demands.
He told Sport Arena: “When I found out about my price, I wasn’t just surprised – I was shocked.
“I have a long-term contract with Shakhtar, I give all my strength and energy so that Shakhtar achieves maximum results, but every football player has a dream to play in a top club and in a top championship – I am no exception.
“But I am 100 per cent sure that they are unlikely to buy a player from the championship of Ukraine for 100million (euros).
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“I will not hide that I was very upset. The amount of €100m puts a barrier for my transition to the top championship, which I so dreamed of.
“I can’t say that my dream was killed, but wounded – that’s for sure.”
Mudryk, 21, received strong interest from Prem duo Everton and Brentford last summer.
His stock has only grown since – particularly given his performances in the Champions League.
Arsenal have entered the race for his signature – alongside the likes of Manchester City, Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking earlier this month, Mudryk hinted that his future could lie in North London.
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He said: “From a purely theoretical-fantasy perspective, if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I’d probably choose Arsenal.
“But I’d first want to know from the head coach that I’d receive a chance.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk