Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin is unsure whether or not Newcastle United transfer target Mykhaylo Mudryk will be sold in January.
The Ukrainian winger is a man in demand heading into 2023, with a string of sensational Champions League performances catching the eyes of clubs in the Premier League.
Arsenal are heavily linked with signing the 21-year-old, while Newcastle have also been linked. It was previously claimed that the Magpies could make a £50million move for Mudryk during the January transfer window.
But it is the Gunners who are leading the race to sign Mudryk. The Athletic recently claimed that there is a good chance that he will end up at the Emirates next month.
That’s bad news for Newcastle’s hopes of signing him, but Palkin has admitted that he might stay at Shakhtar for the rest of the season.
Palkin on if Mudryk will be sold in January
Palkin, Shakhtar’s CEO, has been speaking to the Athletic, and was asked if Mudryk will leave his club next month.
“To be honest, I do not know,” he said.
“At the moment, we are quite far from what we want and what clubs propose. It’s not so far but it is not what we need. We have discussions. One club, another club, they negotiate. We are in the process. Will it close this month? I don’t know.
“It is maybe 50-50 with regards to the winter transfer window. I don’t want to talk about figures now. We are in discussions. We have interest from some English clubs and we are in the process.”
Newcastle fighting a losing battle
While talks might be ongoing about Mudryk joining an English club, it feels unlikely that it will be Newcastle. Reports seem to suggest that Arsenal is his most likely destination, and they are certainly an appealing club right now.
Mikel Arteta’s side are challenging for the Premier League title, and are currently top of the table. Signing Mudryk will certainly boost their title aspirations, but he won’t come cheap.
Shakhtar reportedly want £86million for the youngster, although it has been claimed that he could now be sold for less than that figure.
Regardless, he could prove to be too expensive for a Newcastle side that are not looking to make any major additions next month – unless the right player comes up at the right price.
Mudryk is certainly the right player, but possibly not at the right price. And the last thing Dan Ashworth will want is a bidding war with Arsenal.
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