Mykhailo Mudryk names the one Arsenal player he's most excited to play with if transfer goes ahead

Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk has named a Gunners star he would be 'excited' to play alongside if he were to move to the Emirates Stadium in January.

The Shakhtar star has been the subject of increasing rumours linking him to Arsenal, with Mikel Arteta's side keen to add a wide player to their squad.

Fabrizio Romano confirmed on his YouTube channel that the Gunners were in talks with Shakhtar over the 21-year-old, who has impressed in both Champions League ties against Real Madrid this season, but decided against the move over the £40-45m fee that the Ukrainian champions were demanding.

Furthermore, Shakhtar deputy sporting director, Carlo Nicolini, recently told Italian outlet Calciomercato that the club would demand at least €100 million for the player.

But even though the club are reportedly demanding more, Romano says the Gunners remain interested.

And their hopes of signing Mudryk may have been boosted by comments made by the player to Ukrainian media.

Mudryk on Arsenal interest

Speaking to Ukrainian TV presenter Vlada Sedan - the wife of Gunners star Oleksandr Zinchenko - Mudryk addressed his stance on potentially joining Arsenal or Real Madrid (quotes via CBS Sports' Ben Jacobs): "From a purely theoretical fantasy perspective, if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I'd probably choose Arsenal."

He was also asked whether the prospect of playing alongside Zinchenko at Arsenal would 'excite' him, replying: "Yeah, it does."

Zinchenko is the second Ukrainian player to ever play for Arsenal, with 2002 Premier League winner Oleg Luzhny the first.

Mudryk would become the third Ukrainian in the Gunners' history should he join the club in January, with that prospect appearing increasingly likely.

With eight goals in 16 games in all competitions this term, the 21-year-old certainly appears an increasingly positive option for the Gunners, who will be five points clear at the top of the Premier League at Christmas.