Club official confirms Manchester City and Arsenal interest in €100M forward

Shakhtar Donetsk official, Carlo Nicolini has confirmed interest from Manchester City in exciting forward Mykhaylo Mudryk, speaking in a recent interview this week.

The Premier League champions are often being linked with Europe's finest talents, and this scenario is no exception.

Following the departures of wide attacking talents in Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus last summer, there have been some calls for the club to re-enter the market in search for a new option.

While that has drawn them towards the like of AC Milan's Rafael Leao in recent Italian reports, a somewhat new name has now emerged this week.

But perhaps more interestingly, the link to the Etihad Stadium concerning 21 year-old Ukrainian forward Mykhaylo Mudryk has come directly from one club official.

Speaking during an interview with Calciomercato.it’s program, TV Play - as translated and relayed by Sport Witness this week - Shakhtar Donetsk's deputy sporting director, Carlo Nicolini confirmed interest from both Manchester City and Arsenal in his club's exciting forward Mykhaylo Mudryk.

While admitting there is plenty of attention on arguably the club's prized asset, Nicolini was keen to dismiss some of the proposals and interest from the likes of Italy, Spain, and France.

“The headlights are on him, but I say that the Italians always come later," he opened.

"Now it is easy to observe him, but it was possible to do it before. The Italians bring low proposals, we don’t even sit down to negotiate."

Carlo Nicolini continued, “There are many English candidates, there is the Spanish on duty, the French on duty, but now it takes the right amount to take him away."

He went on to make comparisons to some of the world's most highly-valued attacking players, before making a revelation on interest from the Premier League.

"Together with (Kylian) Mbappè, (Rafael) Leao and Vinicius, Mudryk is the strongest player in that position.

“Oscillating between Arsenal and Manchester City? They are two teams that have taken an interest in the player. But there are also other clubs that can spend right away.”

However, given the importance of the player to Shakhtar Donetsk, as well as the state of the transfer market when it comes to valuations around exciting forwards, the Ukrainian club's chief was keen to stamp a firm valuation on Mykhaylo Mudryk.

“Is €40 million enough to buy him? We do not speak to these figures. Not even for €50 million, we don’t even call the president to communicate the offer. We value Mudryk more than Antony of Manchester United, who cost €100 million,” Nicolini stressed.

“We are not obliged to sell, we do not want to make phenomena. We don’t want to shoot figures that aren’t realistic. But in this team, he is the most decisive. If you want to take on certain players who make a difference in the top clubs, you also need the right money.”

Elsewhere, Manchester City are keen to begin discussions over contract negotiations for Ilkay Gundogan.

The contract of the Germany international expires at the end of this season, although with the midfielder remaining a key component in Pep Guardiola's team as well as being club captain, a new deal should not be ruled out.