Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix could both secure moves to the Premier League in the January transfer window
Mykhaylo Mudryk has hinted at a potential transfer exit for £40million putting Arsenal on high alert. (Image: (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty Images))
Arsenal have been linked with a number of attackers ahead of the January transfer window. Two names that stand out are Shakhtar Donetsk talent Mykhaylo Mudryk and Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his squad as the Gunners prepare for a hectic second half of the season. Sporting director Edu enjoyed a successful summer transfer window, securing deals for Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos and Matt Turner.
Mudryk has openly admitted to being 'blown away' by Gunners fans urging him to complete a move to the Emirates Stadium. Shakhtar value their star forward at a fee in the region of £87million, whilst Felix could be available for a similar price.
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Edu has the decision to make as to whether to splash the cash on Mudryk and complete a deal for the 'Ukrainian Neymar', or to reignite the Gunners' interest in Felix who could leave Atleti in January. The Ukraine international has registered 18 goal contributions in 18 appearances for his club this season compared to the Atletico forward's seven goal contributions in the same number of games as Mudryk.
The contrast in performance between the two players this season should make Edu's decision a no-brainer. The financials involved in both deals could prove to be a stumbling block for the Gunners after they spent over £100million for a second successive summer, but the 21-year-old may prove to be a better fit than Felix.
Arsenal cannot afford to pass up the opportunity to sign Mudryk when he has publicly expressed a desire to play under Mikel Arteta. Liverpool showed that beating rivals to a key signing can pay dividends and help achieve success after the Reds signed Luis Diaz ahead of Tottenham in January earlier this year.
The Gunners could pull off a similar trick in the transfer market by agreeing a deal to sign Mudryk next month, beating their rivals to his signature as his stock continues to rise following his impressive displays for Shakhtar. Felix may make more sense as he plays centrally and with Gabriel Jesus returning from injury in February, the Atletico star could prove to be a brilliant in the short-term and long-term considering he is still just 23 years old.
The Gunners may be able to secure a cheaper deal for Mudryk in the summer, but they will no doubt face more competition at the end of the season and could end up missing out on what he could offer in a crucial second half of the season. The 21-year-old may be more of a winger and not a direct replacement for Jesus in the short-term, but Arteta's system allows his attackers to rotate positions and Mudryk could prove to be a better player to add alongside Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli than Felix, who has had his attitude and work rate questioned since completing a £110million move to Atletico from
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