CHELSEA have CONFIRMED the £97million signing of Mykhailo Mudryk after hijacking Arsenal’s deal for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger.
The Gunners led the race to sign the Ukrainian since the start of the winter window, with the player believed to have favoured an Emirates move.
But SunSport were first to reveal Chelsea’s intentions to beat the Premier League leaders to Mudryk’s signature.
And after the Blues board jetted out to Turkey in a bid to thrash out a deal, the big spenders blew Arsenal out of the water.
Chelsea confirmed the transfer in a statement and Mudryk has signed an incredible eight-and-a-half year deal.
He will reportedly earn £100k-a-week, with Arsenal believed to only be willing to offer £50k.
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The winger told club media: “I’m so happy to sign for Chelsea.
“This is a huge club, in a fantastic league and it is a very attractive project for me at this stage of my career.
“I’m excited to meet my new team-mates and I’m looking forward to working and learning under Graham Potter and his staff.”
It is understood Chelsea will pay £62m up front, with up to £35m in performance-related add-ons, taking the potential total to an eye-watering £97m.
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Mudryk, 22, has agreed a seven-and-a-half year contract at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal agreed personal terms with the forward but pulled out of talks when Shakhtar drove up the price amid interest from Chelsea.
The arrival of Mudryk will take Chelsea’s spending so far in January to well over £100m.
Defender Benoit Badiashile arrived from Monaco for £35m, while David Datro Fofana came from Molde for about £10m.
The Blues have splashed another £10m on a loan fee for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, who was sent off on his debut against Fulham in midweek.
The new Chelsea regime’s latest splurge on players follows the record-breaking £273m they spent last summer.
Mudryk is one of the hottest properties in world football after his impressive form for Shakhtar, particularly in the Champions League.
He scored three times with two assists in six European games as well as seven goals in 12 league matches.
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Under-pressure Chelsea boss Graham Potter is said to have personally driven the deal with a personal call to Mudryk.
Chelsea sit tenth in the league, without a win in three matches, as they welcome Mudryk to the club.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
