Arsenal plead with Shakhtar over £85m Mudryk fee as Liverpool buy Gakpo for half

Arsenal want Shakhtar Donetsk to be realistic over their asking price for Mykhailo Mudryk in the January transfer window – while pointing to Liverpool's move for Cody Gakpo.

Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen his attacking options in January with Shakhtar forward Mudryk scoring eight goals across 13 Ukrainian Premier League fixtures so far this season despite only turning 21 earlier this year.

However, Shakhtar director and club icon Darijo Srna knows what the player is worth with his contract running until the summer of 2026 – and thinks it's far more than Gakpo.

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The Sun report that while Arsenal think that Gakpo's move to Liverpool for £35million rising to £45m is a good guideline – Shakhtar think their sale should be closer to Antony's £85m move to Manchester United from Ajax.

The report adds that a bid of £35m plus a further £17.5m in add-ons has already been rejected by the Ukrainian outfit with their £85m valuation a firm one so far.

Arsenal are believed to be considering their options with Mudryk only having 18 months of senior football under his belt and 50 less senior goals than Gakpo.

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Arsenal's plight could be aided by Mudryk's admiration for the club, of which he has been open about during interviews and even uploaded snaps of him watching them play.

When asked by CBS Sports of a potential Premier League move, the forward said: "Yes, yes, I think every guy dreams about the Premier League."

Then added when asked if it would be hard to reject Arsenal: "Yes, from my side I can’t say no."

Speaking of his January transfer plans, which will be overseen by sporting director Edu, Arteta has said: "We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January.

"This is idealistic. Sometimes it is not realistic. But obviously, if you ask my opinion, as quick as possible we want the players in to get settled.

"What we cannot afford to do is get a player here that is not for us."

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