Shakhtar Donetsk & Chelsea release statements on Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer after £88m agreement

Shakhtar Donetsk and Chelsea have both released a club statement following an £88 million agreement for Mykhailo Mudryk.

The 22-year-old is on the verge of joining Chelsea after talks took place between the club’s on Saturday over a fee for the forward.

Arsenal have had long-standing interest in Mudryk but failed to meet Shakhtar’s valuation despite submitting three bids, the latest one being made earlier this week.

Mudryk’s preference always looked to be moving to the Premier League leaders, but Chelsea‘s ‘growing interest’ in the Ukrainian has led them to be convinced he would be open to joining the Blues instead.

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After club representatives Behdad Eghbali and Paul Winstanley flew to Turkey for talks, a fee of £62 million plus £26 million in add-ons was agreed.

Mudryk is now on his way to London to finalise a switch to Stamford Bridge, becoming their fifth signing of the January window, and undergo his medical.

A seven-year-plus contract has been agreed with the attacker and now Shakhtar have confirmed a deal is close to being completed.

A club statement read: “FC Shakhtar president Rinat Akhmetov and Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali discussed Mykhailo Mudryk’s transfer to Chelsea FC today.

“Parties are very close to agree on player’s transfer to the club.”

Chelsea reacted to the news with an emoji, appearing to confirm the imminent deal.

Then Chelsea then released an official statement. It read: “Chelsea are discussing terms with Shakhtar Donetsk for the transfer of Mykhailo Mudryk.

“Should a deal be agreed between the two clubs then the Ukrainian international, who can operate as a winger or a forward, will discuss personal terms with the Blues ahead of a permanent transfer.”

Chelsea have made four signing this month already after the arrivals of David Datro Fofana, Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and Joao Felix.

However, following the club’s injury problems and looking to turn their dismal form around, up to three more signings were targeted by Chelsea before the transfer window closes.

Noni Madueke and Marcus Thuram are of interest, with an offer of £26.5 million already lodged for Madueke. Enzo Fernandez of Benfica is also of interest but it remains unclear if Chelsea will be tempted to trigger his €120 million release clause this month.

Mudryk is Chelsea-bound after rapid negotiations from the Blues to hijack a deal from Arsenal. Now they just need to seal the move by getting his medical completed before finalising and signing the necessary paperwork to confirm the blockbuster transfer.