Arsenal target spotted in Dubai at the same time as the Gunners squad with transfer talks ongoing

Arsenal fans think Mykhailo Mudryk has dropped another hint he's joining the club after he was spotted on holiday in Dubai at the same time as Mikel Arteta's squad.

Arsenal have been strongly linked with a January bid for the Shakhtar Donetsk winger after holding initial talks over a potential move in the summer transfer window.

Mudryk, 21, has caught the eye after scoring 10 goals and providing eight assists in 18 games for Shakhtar this season.

The Ukrainian side are under no pressure to sell, with Mudryk contracted to the club until 2026.

It is likely to take a significant offer to convince Shakhtar to part ways with their prize asset, with director of football Darijo Srna claiming in October that Mudryk is worth €100m (£85.7m).

Writing in The Athletic, transfer expert David Ornstein says Mudryk is keen to move to the Premier League and "determined to make the Emirates his destination".

Mudryk has already expressed his admiration for Arsenal's style of play under Arteta, revealing in a recent interview that he looks out for their results.

"I check on them in 'myscore' and know when they're playing I can check on them," Mudryk said in an interview with Vlada Zinchenko, the wife of Arsenal defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.

"I also watch them too. (Arsenal are) a very dynamic side, in general not just in controlling possession but also in scoring goals."

Mudryk spotted in Dubai

Arsenal fans think they've noticed another sign that Mudryk could be joining the club after he was spotted in Dubai this week at the same time as the Gunners squad.

Arsenal beat AC Milan 2-1 on Tuesday to win the Dubai Super Cup as part of their preparations for the return of the Premier League.

"This guy is borderline stalking Arteta," joked on Arsenal fan on Twitter, in response to a picture of Mudryk in Dubai.

While another added: "Don't get me hyped. The secret meeting in Dubai must have happened."

Arsenal target Mykhalo Mudryk was in Dubai

(Credit to @Serhiitheagent for info) pic.twitter.com/eJJDwcb16w

— Doc (@karthikadhaigal) December 14, 2022

Shakhtar chief confirms January move is possible

Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin has confirmed a January exit for Mudryk is possible and that several Premier League clubs are interested in the winger.

"At the moment, we are quite far from what we want and what clubs propose. It's not so far but it is not what we need,” he told The Athletic.

"We have discussions. One club, another club, they negotiate. We are in the process. Will it close this month? I don't know.

"It is maybe 50-50 with regards to the winter transfer window. I don't want to talk about figures now. We are in discussions. We have interest from some English clubs and we are in the process."