Newcastle United have been linked with signing Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, and he is being compared to Manchester City’s Jack Grealish.
The Ukrainian winger is drawing comparisons to the England international, as well as Manchester United summer signing Antony. However, pundit Don Hutchison believes that Mudryk is more impressive than both of those players.
The 21-year-old looks destined for a move to the Premier League in January. Newcastle are reportedly interested in Mudryk, with i News first claiming back in September that the Magpies could make a move.
Eddie Howe’s side have continued to be linked with Mudryk, with the Athletic recently stating that the club are impressed by him.
Someone else who is impressed with Mudryk is Hutchison, the former Sunderland midfielder and Newcastle fan.
Hutchison compares Mudryk to Grealish
The Gateshead-born 51-year-old has taken to Twitter to heap praise on the forward, explaining why he is such a special talent.
“I’ve commentated on Ukraine’s last 6/7 games and loads of Shakhtar games in the Champions League,” he wrote.
“So I’ve seen loads of Mudryk. Ridiculously Faster and more dynamic than Grealish and Antony. He is raw but the potential is huge.”
Hutchison’s comments were in response to an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners leading the race to sign him next month.
Arsenal have Mudryk bid rejected
Newcastle are not the only club interested in Mudryk. In fact, Arsenal have been more heavily linked with signing him.
It was reported before Christmas that there is a good chance he moves to the Emirates in 2023, and Mikel Arteta’s side have since had a bid rejected for him.
According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal made a £55million bid for Mudryk, but it has been turned down by Shakhtar. The report adds that the league leaders intend to make an improved offer soon.
He is their preferred attacking target, as they look to boost their bid to secure a first Premier League title since 2004.
With the kind of money being offered, Newcastle might not have a chance in this transfer tussle. With a bid of £55million rejected already, it might take a fee beyond the £63million that the Magpies spent on Alexander Isak back in August.
And with reports that the Toon owners will not splash out in January, it is sounding all the more likely that Mudryk won’t be on his way to St James’ Park.
That is a real shame, as he sounds like a real talent based on Hutchison’s assessment. Grealish and Antony are two incredibly exciting wingers, and he believes that Mudryk can be even better.
Whether or not he is better than Miguel Almiron remains to be seen, but it is going to take a huge amount of money to see Mudryk in a black and white shirt next month.
He fits the bill of what PIF want at St James’ Park, but the timing could be all wrong for Howe.
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