Mudryk is Arsenal's transfer priority but Shakhtar set fee with Grealish comparison

The Gunners get their Premier League campaign back underway on Boxing Day, but it's the January window that fans will have their focus on as Mikel Arteta's side look to cement themselves at the top of the league.

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It's understood Arsenal's American owners the Kroenke family are willing to back Mikel Arteta and sporting director Edu with the war chest they need to secure the title.

Prior to the World Cup break it became clear the Gunners needed to bolster their squad in a number of areas, one of them being their wide options and needing backups for star wingers Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners have been linked with Shakhtar Donetsk star Mudryk since he netted against Celtic in the Champions League in September.

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Now, reports suggest the Premier League leaders are prioritising the 21-year-old Ukraine international for the upcoming window.

According to The Athletic, whilst there is no deal agreed at present between the clubs, there's a good chance Mudryk will sign and he's focused on coming to the Emirates.

It's also understood Shakhtar have priced their winger - who has scored 10 goals and set up eight in 18 games - at £85.9million.

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But a fee could still prove a real problem with the player likened to £100million man Jack Grealish by Croatia legend and Shakhtar director of football Dario Srna.

"Who wants to sign Mudryk has to pay a big amount of money — otherwise our president will not sell him. Jack Grealish was sold for [£100m] and Mudryk's level is not lower," he told Marca.

However, interested parties understand a lower fee could be agreed despite the comments.

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Arsenal aren't the only club interested in the Ukrainian, and the Gunners also have alternatives lined up should the move not materialise.

But Mudryk has his heart set on a move to the Emirates, with him also giving an interview on the transfer link with Gunners star and fellow Ukrainian Oleksandr Zinchenko's wife.