EPL: Arsenal’s first January signing close to arriving Emirates for £40m

Arsenal are on the verge of signing winger, Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Mudryk, who is set to become Arsenal’s first January signing, had attracted interest from a host of European clubs in the summer.

His performances for Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League so far this season have made him increasingly in demand ahead of the winter January transfer window.

Shakhtar Donetsk are keen to secure the biggest sale in their history by some margin and announced earlier this month that they are demanding £87.5million for Mudryk.

Mudryk had already made it clear that he is not happy with Shakhtar’s decision, fearing that his high price tag could stop his possible departure.

According to the Sunday Mirror, Shakhtar Donetsk have privately reduced their asking price and are now willing to accept a deal closer to £40m for the 21-year-old.

The report added that Arsenal “have the framework of a deal in place” to sign Mudryk ahead of the next transfer window in January

It’s reported that the Gunners hold another key advantage as Mudryk is keen to link up with his compatriots Oleksandr Zinchenko, who he plays alongside with in the Ukraine’s national team.

This is coming less than two weeks after Mudryk expressed his desire to play for Arsenal.