Report: ‘Unstoppable’ £85m attacker is now desperate to join Arsenal in January

By Ben Evans

Arsenal will be looking to the January transfer window to see if they can further strengthen their squad.

Mikel Arteta has made a point of bringing in high-performing young players who have the capacity to continue improving.

A report from The Athletic suggest that there’s another player who fits that mould on their radar.

Arteta made a point in the summer of trying to bring in another central midfielder as the window shut.

Unfortunately, moves for Douglas Luiz or Danilo didn’t come to fruition, although the Gunners have made do without them.

A serious injury to Gabriel Jesus could end up shifting their focus further up the pitch.

No official time scale has been put on Jesus’ recovery time, although it’s expected he’ll be out of action for several months.

Eddie Nketiah is now Arteta’s only fit centre-forward, although Gabriel Martinelli could play up top.

They could be boosted by the signing of an ‘unstoppable’ forward, who has already lit up the Champions League this season.

The Athletic’s report now suggests that Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk wants to join Arsenal.

In fact, he’s ‘determined’ to join sign for the north London side in January.

Mudryk wants to join Arsenal

Despite Mudryk’s desire to move to The Emirates, no deal has been agreed yet.

Shakhter have set an £85m price tag for the 21-year-old, which would make him Arsenal’s record signing.

However, The Athletic suggest that there’s an understanding that a lower fee for Mudryk would be deemed acceptable.

Journalist Ben Jacobs has reported that Arteta does see Mudryk as a potential replacement for Gabriel Jesus.

If this is the case, then Arsenal will likely make Mudryk their top target in the January window.

He tends to play on the left wing and cut inside onto his stronger right foot.

However, he’s scored a number of goals bursting through the middle before finishing past the goalkeeper.

The Ukrainian already has 13 goal contributions in 12 league appearances, and three goals and two assists in the Champions League this season.

With Mudryk wanting to join Arsenal, and the club certainly keen on his services, a deal shouldn’t be too difficult to negotiate.