Mueez Ajao
– Chelsea look set to hijack Arsenal’s pursuit of Mykhailo Mudryk after agreeing a €100 million deal with Shakhtar Donetsk for the winger.
– The bid comprises a fixed fee of €70m with a further €30m in add-ons, matching the Ukrainian club’s valuation for the transfer of the 21-year-old.
Exclusive: Chelsea have reached an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mudryk. €100m fee agreed between parties today after mission. 🚨🔵 #CFC
Chelsea now pushing on player side — as Mudryk priority has always been Arsenal.#AFC bid remains €95m add ons included. pic.twitter.com/PoIddYaARC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 14, 2023
– Sources reported on Friday that Arsenal had made a third offer for Mudryk but that Chelsea were still expected to table a bid of their own despite signing Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid until the end of the season.
Also Read: Chelsea never considered Pulisic exit before injury – Potter
– Arsenal have made most of the running in attempting to sign Mudryk, who had hinted in several social media posts that he was open to moving to Emirates Stadium.
– However, a source with close knowledge of the deal told that Arsenal were still attempting to negotiate the structure of payments and the various performance-related achievements that would constitute the add-ons.
– In the meantime, Chelsea have moved quickly. A club delegation involving Behdad Eghbali, representing co-owners Clearlake Capital, and director of global talent and transfers Paul Winstanley flew to Turkey for face-to-face talks with Shakhtar representatives.
– Conversations progressed rapidly and Chelsea are now confident of agreeing personal terms with the player.
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 pic.twitter.com/IoHOaFRfn5
— FC SHAKHTAR ENGLISH (@FCShakhtar_eng) January 14, 2023
– Sources have told that Arsenal always felt the player preferred to join them but Chelsea are at an advanced stage in negotiations with Mudryk’s representatives over a long-term contract.
