Arsenal 'confident over January deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk'

The 21-year-old has attracted glances with his performances domestically and in the Champions League this term, having hit 10 goals and eight assists in 18 appearances.

Mudryk has recorded seven goals and six assists from 12 matches in the Ukrainian top flight, as well as scoring against Celtic and RB Leipzig in the Champions League.

The Ukraine international is under contract at Shakhtar until 2026, having signed a new deal in February, but he continues to be strongly linked with a departure.

Arsenal are now believed to be at the head of the queue to sign Mudryk, while Manchester United and Newcastle United are also reported to be considering approaches.

According to The Athletic, signing Mudryk is Arsenal's priority for the January transfer window, and those close to the deal believe that there is a "good chance" of a transfer materializing.

Shakhtar football director Darijo Srna has frequently affirmed that clubs must fork out a hefty fee to sign Mudryk in January, and suitors have been quoted as much as €100m (£86m).

However, the report adds that Arsenal are confident of driving the price down after initiating contact with Shakhtar and Mudryk's entourage, and the player is keen on the move.

Brentford are said to have had a deal in place to sign Mudryk for €25m (£21.4m) in the summer, but the move fell through, and Shakhtar are now after at least four times that amount to sanction a sale.

Mudryk joined Shakhtar's youth setup in 2016, and the attacker has since recorded 12 goals and 17 assists in 44 matches for the club in all tournaments.

Arsenal are thought to have earmarked a new winger as a priority signing for the January transfer window, with 19-year-old Marquinhos potentially being allowed to leave on loan.

A new striker could also be on the agenda for Mikel Arteta, who has lost Gabriel Jesus to a serious knee injury, leaving Eddie Nketiah as his only senior option in the number nine spot.

When asked by the press last week if Jesus's surgery could impact their January transfer plans, Arteta responded: "What it affects is who we are as a team because he gives us so much.

"What we can do after that when we know the timescale better and we have when we can have him back we will look at the options and try to make the right decisions."

Arsenal are aiming to lift the Dubai Super Cup with victory over AC Milan on Tuesday and will be back in Premier League action at home to West Ham United on Boxing Day.