Newcastle United have made their first move to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to CBS journalist Ben Jacobs.
Eddie Howe’s side are said to have made a move to sign the red-hot attacker ahead of the January transfer window, as they join a long list of clubs looking to sign the wide-man.
After incredibly bursting onto the scene this season, the 21-year-old has bagged three goals and two assists in six Champions League appearances.
As a result, a plethora of clubs across Europe, including Newcastle, have been reported as interested in signing the attacker.
As per a previous interview with Jacobs, the Ukraine international said how he would find it hard to turn down Arsenal. However, the CBS journalist has now reported the Gunners and Liverpool have been put off by the expected £43.6m asking price.
Alongside Newcastle’s enquiry into the player, Manchester City have also been touted with interest, whilst Everton are known to have had a £26.2m bid rejected last summer. Mudryk is said to want to play European football with his next move.
Newcastle enquire about Mykhaylo Mudryk
Whilst the competition is certainly fierce, the Magpies’ healthy budget and status as a club emerging onto the European scene would certainly be an enticing prospect for the Ukrainian forward.
However, this all depends on whether Eddie Howe will have a spot for the youngster in his starting XI.
At the moment, Miguel Almiron is taking the Premier League up by storm. The 28-year-old has sensationally netted six goals in the Toon’s last six games and is thus the heavy favourite to win the player of the month award.
On the other flank, Allan Saint-Maximin is the preferred option. Having been riddled with injuries this season, the Frenchman has been in and out of Howe’s side, with the likes of Jacob Murphy and Ryan Fraser filling-in in his absence.
Therefore, having only played as an out-and-out winger, it doesn’t appear Mudryk is guaranteed a spot in the Magpies’ starting XI.
However, with such huge potential, the 21-year-old could be too good of a player to pass up on. In seven Premier Liga games this season, the Donetsk forward has bagged four goals and five assists.
He has been hailed as ‘almost undefendable’ by presenter Jack Collins; even receiving praise from Premier League legend Thierry Henry for his directness when attacking with the ball.
As a result, this may be one transfer worth spending the money on for Newcastle.