‘A superior position’: David Ornstein had a big Mudryk update for Arsenal fans live from Stamford Bridge

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Respected journalist David Ornstein was at Stamford Bridge last night and he had fresh information for Arsenal and Chelsea fans on Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The Gunners and the Blues seem to be involved in a battle to sign Mudryk. What once looked like a clear run for Arsenal, has become a bit more of a difficult deal to do. In part, it’s down to Shakthar’s insistence that a fee of around £90m is met. So far, neither English club has been willing to go to that.

Rumours were circling yesterday that Dario Srna was was in London yesterday to discuss Mudryk. Indeed, he was even believed to be at The Bridge to watch Chelsea.

However, speaking before the game, The Athletic’s David Ornstein told NBC Sports that right now, Arsenal remain relaxed and are still, in their eyes anyway, ahead in the race.

“Arsenal’s interest remains strong. I think they’re staying calm. They’ll continue the conversations and there is optimism within The Emirates that with patience, they will get this done, given that the player has said he’d like to join them. His priority though is the Premier League, and perhaps that’s where Chelsea get a taste for this,” Ornstein said.

“As I understand it, Chelsea are monitoring the situation. They’re interested in all top young players, if the price is right and that’s the problem here with Shakhtar. They are not budging on that 100m Euro valuation.

“I think this one might play out over the window. In fact some of them from Shakhtar are coming here tonight to watch the match. But I do think Arsenal are in a superior position. And I don’t think they’ll be too concerned at this point about a potential hijack from Chelsea.”

TBR’s View: Mudryk a man in demand

You don’t get Chelsea and Arsenal putting in loads of leg work and inviting your club’s reps to the ground if you’re not a special player. It very much seems Mykhaylo Mudryk is one of those special players.

Last night, there was a clear case for Chelsea as to why they need him. However, he won’t have been overly impressed by what he saw.

Arsenal, as Ornstein says, remain the favourites here. And if Chelsea do pip them, you can only assume it’s because it’s come purely down to money.