Arsenal have "explored" move for £86m forward at the Emirates

Arsenal explored a move for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhalo Mudryk in the week before transfer deadline day, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Reports over the past month have suggested that the Ukraine international has been a target for Mikel Arteta’s side as they look to bolster their options in the wide areas.

On the eve of deadline day, The Athletic reported that fellow Premier League side Brentford were in the mix to sign him, and that a deal would prove difficult to do.

Romano has indicated that Arsenal did indeed explore a move for the Ukrainian flier, and that contact had even been made with the player’s representatives.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said: “I think this is the problem there is going to be, he is super expensive. Arsenal explored this possibility, and they had contact with his agent last week.

“Let’s see if they will decide to try for him. But it’s not easy, it’s absolutely not easy to negotiate with Shakhtar.”

Given that Brentford were looking to negotiate a fee of around €30m (£26m) for Mudryk, Arsenal must surely have been keeping a close eye on the situation ahead of deadline day.

What perhaps would have excited Gunners fans the most, is the kind of rave reviews the winger has already been getting during his fledgling career.

Indeed, Shakhtar sporting director, Darijo Srna, said at the beginning of last month: “For me, Mudryk is the best player in Europe in this position after Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

“As I said, after Mbappe and Junior, I don’t see a third player other than Mudryk in this position in Europe. First, he is a decent guy. Second, professional. Thirdly, he loves Shakhtar. Yes, he said he wanted to leave, but now he is in his place and remains in the team. Mudryk has crazy potential.

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