ARSENAL look like they will have to fork out over £85million for Mykhailo Mudryk – and it could be Manchester United’s fault.
The Premier League leaders have been chasing Shakhtar Donetsk’s wonderkid, 22, for several months.
Arsenal have submitted an offer worth £62m, but it was well below the Ukrainian side’s asking price.
Chelsea have also registered an interest in the Shakhtar winger in recent days.
However, now both clubs have been offered an insight into what it will take to get the winger this month.
Shakhtar Donetsk’s sporting director Carlo Nicolini has hinted that United, who splashed out £85m to Ajax for Antony, are to blame for lengthy negotiations as Mudryk is “stronger” than the Brazilian.
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Nicolini told CalcioNapoli 24: “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.
“The problem is that Italian clubs don’t take advantage of opportunities, like Milan with Enzo Fernandez, who is now worth over £100million.
“When you arrive in time on a player you have to sink the shot, otherwise the prices change.”
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Mudryk seems to be keeping a watchful eye over developments at Arsenal in particular.
Mudryk watched on an iPad as Mikel Arteta’s men brushed West Ham aside on Boxing Day with a 3-1 win.
He then expressed his admiration for Arteta and his former Shakhtar boss Roberto De Zerbi, who is now in charge on the South Coast, during the Gunners’ 4-2 win at the Seagulls on New Year’s Eve.
And in his latest social media antics, Mudryk liked a mocked up post of him behind bars with the caption calling for him to be freed – however he now appears to have unliked it.
Antony, 22, has managed five goals and two assists in his 17 games so far for United.
Meanwhile, Mudryk has ten goals and eight assists in 18 games for Shakhtar this season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
