However, according to Ukrainian news outlet Sport Arena, Arsenal are now ‘close’ to reaching a final agreement with Shakhtar over a base salary and bonuses for Mudryk.
According to Ukrainian media, Arsenal are close to reaching an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk.
The Gunners have already made two bids for Mudryk this month, with their first offer of £35.5 million plus £17.7 million in add-ons rejected by Shakhtar.
Arsenal’s talks have continued, but the Premier League leaders are now up against Chelsea, who hosted Shakhtar director Darijo Srna at Stamford Bridge last week.
However, according to Ukrainian news outlet Sport Arena, Arsenal are now ‘close’ to reaching a final agreement with Shakhtar over a base salary and bonuses for Mudryk.
According to the report, Arsenal wants the add-ons to account for 30% of the total deal, while Shakhtar wants the bonus structure to be worth around 20%.
Shakhtar have been adamant that their valuation of Mudryk is based on Manchester United’s £85 million deal for Antony last summer.
Mudryk is said to have agreed personal terms with Arsenal and will sign a five-year contract with Mikel Arteta’s side.
Meanwhile, Mudryk has distanced himself from a bogus Instagram message that went viral over the weekend.
In the message, a user asks Mudryk if he is joining Chelsea, to which the 21-year-old replies “no,” along with a smiling face emoji and two hearts in Arsenal’s red and white colors.
Mudryk, according to the Ukrainian website Tribuna, has denied the authenticity of the Instagram screenshot.
According to The Athletic, negotiations between Arsenal and Shakhtar will continue this week as Mudryk reunites with his teammates ahead of a winter training camp in Turkey.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, the 22-year-old has joined the rest of the Shakhtar squad in Poland ahead of their flight to Turkey.
Mudryk will be allowed to leave Shakhtar’s training camp to complete the necessary medical tests and finalize his transfer if an agreement is reached with Arsenal in the coming days.