Chelsea
are considering making a bid for Mykhailo Mudryk, even though there is
"growing optimism" from Arsenal that they will agree a deal for the Shakhtar
Donetsk winger.
Talks are planned with Chelsea and Shakhtar Donetsk this week.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is currently in London and officials from Shakhtar
are due in the capital soon.
Earlier this week, Sky Sports News reported that Arsenal will agree a deal
for Mudryk. Arsenal and Shakhtar are continuing conversations over the size
of the fee and the payment structure.
One source has told Sky Sports News that Arsenal are prepared to pay a fee
closer to Shakhtar's £85m valuation. An agreement hasn't been reached yet
but Arsenal are working hard to find a compromise.
There is a feeling from sources close to the deal that the clubs will "find
a solution", with the 21-year-old wanting the move and personal terms not
expected to be a problem.
Sky Sports News also reported last week that Shakhtar regard Mudryk, who has
played just eight times for his country, as one of the top five wingers in
the world.
Shakhtar believe he is better than Antony at Manchester United, who cost
£86m from Ajax in the summer and are using that as their benchmark in
negotiations.
Brentford also had a deal to sign Mudryk last summer but his valuation
sky-rocketed.
Why Mudryk is in demand
At the start of last season, he was an unknown outside of Ukraine with a
transfer value of under £1m. Now he is one of the most coveted young players
in Europe. Following an explosive rise, Mudryk looks destined for big
things.
The 21-year-old, who showcased his thrilling speed and one-on-one ability in
the Champions League group stage earlier this season, has been described by
Darijo Srna, Shakhtar Donetsk's director of football, as "the best player in
Europe in his position" after Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.
There may be a hint of exaggeration to that statement but Srna is not the
only one to hold Mudryk in high regard. His list of suitors is a long one
and Premier League leaders Arsenal sit at the top of it.
Chelsea want Fernandez in January | £105m
release clause sticking point
Chelsea are locked in talks with Benfica to sign World Cup winner Enzo
Fernandez in January.
With a release clause of €120m, roughly £105m, the Argentina midfielder
would become the Premier League's most expensive signing.
But Sky Sports News have been told Chelsea are not prepared to pay his
release clause in full and instead want to pay it in instalments. If they
can do a deal in instalments, they are prepared to pay more than the £105m
release clause to get the deal done as quickly as possible.
Benfica would like Fernandez to stay and to sign a new contract, having only
been at the club since the summer.
There has been no progress on this deal in the last 24 hours, despite
reports elsewhere the Blues were getting closer overnight on Monday.
Sky Sports News has been told these reports, some of which also claim they
will pay the clause in full without instalments, are not correct.
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