Chelsea announce Mykhaylo Mudryk signing is “close”
Chelsea have confirmed that they are “close” to sealing the signing of Ukrainian attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 21-year-old was widely expected to join Arsenal in the January transfer window, having dropped numerous hints of his admiration for the Gunners on social media.
Mikel Arteta’s side saw at least two bids turned down by Shakhtar, who have publicly stated that they are holding out for a fee of €100m (£88.7m).
Further talks between Arsenal and Shakhtar ultimately did not yield a positive solution, despite claims that the Gunners were optimistic about their chances of striking a deal.
Mudryk was keen to make the move to the Emirates and is said to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal, but Chelsea quickly hijacked a move after the Premier League leaders could not agree a fee.
The Blues are believed to have agreed a deal which will see them pay Shakhtar €70m (£62.1m) and a further €30m (£26.6m) in performance-related add-ons.
Chelsea released a statement on Saturday evening confirming that “discussions” were ongoing, although they stopped short of announcing that a deal was agreed.
“Chelsea close to agreeing Mudryk deal. Chelsea are discussing terms with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk,” the statement read.
“Should a deal be agreed between the two clubs then the Ukrainian international, who can operate as a winger or a forward, will discuss personal terms with the Blues ahead of a permanent transfer.”
Mudryk is already believed to have flown to London to put pen to paper on a seven-year deal until 2030, and the attacker will undergo his medical with Graham Potter’s men on Sunday.
Prior to Chelsea’s announcement, Shakhtar also revealed that the two clubs were “very close” to striking an agreement for Mudryk after officials met in Turkey over the weekend.
“FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to Chelsea FC today. Parties are very close to agree on player’s transfer to the club,” Shakhtar said on Twitter.
Mudryk boasts 12 goals and 17 assists from 44 appearances in a Shakhtar shirt since coming through their youth ranks, including 10 goals and eight assists from 18 outings this season.
The eight-cap Ukraine international will become Chelsea’s fifth signing of the winter window, following Joao Felix, Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos to the club.
Chelsea return to Premier League action against Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon, and Mudryk could make his debut when Potter’s men travel to Anfield to face Liverpool next Saturday.
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