Arsenal favourites to sign European star

Arsenal stars Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli will once again be in action on Thursday as Brazil take on Switzerland in Group G of the World Cup. 

The pair were both substituted on during Brazil’s 2-0 win over Serbia during the first round of matches, but an injury sustained by Neymar may see Jesus given his first start of the competition on Thursday.

The Gunners have had a number of stars impressing throughout the competition so far, including England’s Bukayo Saka and Japan’s Takehiro Tomiyasu.

Mikel Arteta’s side were in superb form prior to the Premier League’s break for the World Cup, sitting top of the table, and the Spaniard will be keen to ensure that they stay top for the remainder of the season.

Despite his side’s outstanding form, it appears that Arteta is keen to add to his squad.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal are currently leading the race to sign Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The report claims that The Gunners are ahead of all other interested clubs in the race to land the 21-year-old, who has been in sensational form of late.

Mudryk, an Ukraine international, has scored ten goals and provided eight assists in 18 matches across all competitions so far this term, including three goals in the Champions League.

Mudryk is now a regular for Ukraine

Arsenal have apparently agreed the framework for a deal in principle, with Shakhtar having lowered their demands from their original price of £90 million to around £40 million.

Mudryk, who graduated from Shakhtar’s academy, is keen to join international teammate Oleksandr Zinchenko at The Emirates.

The winger, who plays primarily on the left but can also be deployed on the right, is contracted to his current club until 2026.

Shakhtar are ready to cash in on the player though, following his explosive start to the season.

Mudryk only made his debut for Ukraine in June this year, but he has already been capped eight times by his country at senior level.

He was part of the Ukraine side that narrowly missed out on qualification for the current World Cup, with Wales beating them in the play-off final over the summer.