Arsenal to sign Ukrainian Mykhaylo Mudryk before Thursday deadline day if £29.9m transfer is completed

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Arsenal's pursuit of a sixth signing in this summer's transfer window has seen them linked with a move for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

In fact, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners have 'explored' the possibility of getting a deal done for the Ukraine international before deadline day, but they may have to act swiftly amid competition from Premier League rivals Everton, as well as several unnamed clubs.

"Keep an eye on top talent Mykhalo Mudryk. Everton had €30 million (£25.5 million) verbal proposal turned down by Shakhtar Donetsk last week," Romano tweeted. "Arsenal have explored conditions of Mudryk deal a few days ago — but just on player side. Many clubs want him, one to watch until the end."

Should Arsenal follow up their interest in Mudryk and meet Shakhtar's reported asking price of €35 million (£29.9 million) then all that would be left is for the player to reach an agreement regarding personal terms, pass a medical and then sign his contract before the window closes on Thursday night.

In the scenario that this deal does get completed before or on September 1, how would the winger's arrival affect the north London outfit in terms of bringing in more players amid links to Pedro Neto, Wilfried Zaha and Youri Tielemans, whilst adhering to the Premier League rules?

Well, the Gunners, along with the other 19 Premier League teams, will be permitted to name 25-man squads after the summer transfer window shuts - from which no more than 17 overseas players can be named - with the remaining eight places available to homegrown members of the squad.

To be considered homegrown, players need to have been registered with any club affiliated to The Football Association or the Welsh FA for a period, continuous or not, of three entire seasons, or 36 months, before his 21st birthday (or the end of the season during which he turns 21).

As things stand, not including any potential sales before transfer deadline day, the Arsenal senior players who currently meet the homegrown criteria are Ben White, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding, Aaron Ramsdale, Hector Bellerin, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson.

However, the good news is that if Mudryk does complete a move to the Emirates Stadium this week, he won't be taking up a non-homegrown spot. Instead, as he is born after January 1, 2001 - by four days - it means he can be registered as an Under-21 player who is eligible throughout the season, alongside William Saliba, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.