Chelsea See set to kidnap Arsenalis looking for Mikhailo Mudrik After the €100 million deal Shakhtar Donetsk As for the winger, sources told ESPN.
The bid includes a fixed fee of €70m plus a further €30m in add-ons, matching the Ukrainian club’s valuation for the 22-year-old’s transfer.
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ESPN reported Friday Arsenal made a third offer for Mudric But Chelsea were expected to table their own bid despite the signing Joao Felix on loan from Atlético Madrid until the end of the season.
Sources have told ESPN that Chelsea have offered Mudric a better wage package and a longer contract than what Arsenal have offered. Sources also said that €30m in bonuses could easily be obtained.
in statement On Saturday, Chelsea confirmed that they were “discussing terms with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Mykhailo Mudric.”
“The Ukrainian international, who can operate as a winger or forward, will discuss personal terms with the Blues ahead of a permanent transfer should an agreement be reached between the two clubs,” the statement concluded.
Arsenal have made most of the race to sign Mudric, who has indicated in several social media posts that he is open to a move to the Emirates Stadium.
However, a source with close knowledge of the deal told ESPN that Arsenal are still trying to negotiate a payment structure and various performance-related achievements that constitute add-ons.
Meanwhile, Chelsea have moved quickly. A club delegation including Behdad Eghbali, representing co-owner Clearlake Capital, and Paul Winstanley, director of global talent and transfers, traveled to Turkey for face-to-face talks with Shakhtar representatives.
Talks progressed rapidly and Chelsea are now confident of agreeing personal terms with the player.
Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal have always felt they would prefer the player to join them, but Chelsea are at an advanced stage in talks with Mudric’s representatives over a long-term deal.
On Saturday, Shakhtar released a short statement confirming a deal was close.
The statement read: “FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed the transfer of Mykhailo Mudric to Chelsea FC today. The parties are very close to agreeing on the player’s transfer to the club.”
Information from ESPN’s Julian Lawrence contributed to this report.
