Arsenal’s £62 million bid for winger to be rejected with Chelsea circling

Arsenal moved eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table on Tuesday, but boss Mikel Arteta was still left frustrated. 

The Gunners were held to a goalless draw by third-placed Newcastle United at The Emirates, and Arteta felt his side should have had two penalties and was visibly frustrated on the touchline.

Manchester City, who currently sit second in the table, will move back to within five points of The Gunners if they beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Following a frustrating evening for Arteta, there could be more bad news for the Gunners manager.

According to The Mail, Arsenal’s £62 million bid for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk is expected to be rejected.

Their first bid of £52 million was also rejected by Shakhtar – who value the player at £88 million – and one of Arsenal’s biggest rivals are now hoping to hijack the deal.

Chelsea are circling and are already in negotiations with their Ukrainian counterparts, it is claimed.

Mudryk, 21, has been in fine form for his current side this season, scoring ten goals and providing eight assists in 18 matches across all competitions.

Mudryk looks set for a big-money move to the Premier League

The Ukraine international has been particularly impressive in the Champions League, scoring three goals as Shakhtar narrowly missed out on a place in the knockout stages of the competition.

The winger is said to be Arteta’s primary target for the January transfer window, but they may have to improve their offer if they are to land him, with Chelsea owner Todd Boehly having already demonstrated his willingness to splash out on big signings.

Shakhtar’s CEO, Sergei Palkin, is said to be in contact with representatives from both London clubs, and the Ukrainian side are using two lucrative moves as the benchmark for a deal for Mudryk.

The report claims that the club are using Jack Grealish’s £100 move from Aston Villa and Manchester United’s £85 million signing of Antony as a precedent.