Arsenal have identified Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk as their 'main priority' signing in the January transfer window, according to reports.
The claim comes from prominent journalist Fabrizio Romano, who has kept Gunners fans updated on the club's pursuit of the 21-year-old over recent months as they look to add another winger to their squad.
Reports of Arsenal's interest in the player first surfaced in the summer, but Romano revealed they pulled out of any deal due to Shakhtar's high asking price.
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That asking price has since been raised even further, with the club's sporting director, former legendary player Darijo Srna, telling The Athletic: "The market is deciding the price - not me. Antony, [Jack] Grealish, thy are players of more than €100m and, for me, Mudryk does not have less quality than them."
He later continued: "We want just respect. The market is deciding the price, not me. It shows which kind of players cost this kind of money."
Therefore, Arsenal may have to spend €100m (£88m) to sign Mudryk. But for a 21-year-old winger who has nine goals and eight assists this season in all competitions, and impressed in two Champions League group stage ties against Real Madrid, that could well be a price worth paying.
Romano outlines Arsenal 'main priority'
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano has outlined that, despite the hurdles, the Gunners are likely to reignite their efforts to sign the Ukraine international in January.
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He explained: "I think the main priority is Mudryk. The player they really want is Mudryk.
"It's about the price, because Shakhtar have been really strong in negotiations for more than a year.
"Also, in August, when Everton offered €30 million, Shakhtar said no, and they said no to €40 million approaches as well.
"They want big money for Mudryk, and it is not easy."
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Were Arsenal to pay the £88 million reported fee for Mudryk, it would break their club transfer record.
That record is currently held by the signing of Nicolas Pepe from Lille, with the Ivory Coast international arriving for £72 million in 2019.
But Pepe's time at Arsenal has not gone to plan thus far, and he is currently on loan at Nice for the entirety of the 2022/23 season.
Mudryk would, therefore, have to compete with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli for a starting spot at the Emirates Stadium, as well as the returning Emile Smith Rowe.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Arsenal, Premier League, Shakhtar Donetsk, Mikel Arteta