Transfer gossip: Arsenal target ‘own Riyad Mahrez’ as Mudryk dream ‘wounded’ but alive
Arsenal may be lining up a January alternative for Mykhaylo Mudryk as Shakhtar sound the bidding war alarm…
ARSENAL’S ‘OWN RIYAD MAHREZ’
Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a swoop for ‘their own Riyad Mahrez’ in January, with reports claiming they’re interested in Toulouse star Fares Chaibi.
Stunning goals against Montpellier and Lille this season in Ligue 1, as well as four assists, has attracted a number of clubs, with Sevilla and Arsenal said to be most keenly aware of his ability, according to FootMercato.
The report states that the 19-year-old is ‘able to play both in midfield on the entire front of the attack’ and ‘shines a thousand lights’, which certainly sounds like a good thing, and is the new Mahrez because he’s Algerian.
It’s not clear how much Arsenal would have to stump up in January, but given he’s valued at under £4m by Transfermarkt, they’re unlikely to have to break the bank.
MUDRYK DREAM ‘WOUNDED’ BUT ALIVE
Chaibi could be a cheap alternative to Mykhaylo Mudryk, who appears to be Arsenal’s top target in January.
The Gunners are said to have made a £30m move for the Ukraine international in the summer which was rebuffed by Shakhtar Donetsk and rumours suggest they are willing to double that outlay to secure his signature in January.
Mudryk himself is clearly very keen on a move to the Emirates – he said as much in an interview with Oleksandr Zinchenko’s wife.
And he admitted he was “shocked” and “very upset” when Shakhtar director Dario Srna said €100m would be required to sign him in the winter window. Mudryk believes the lofty fee has “wounded” his dream of moving to Arsenal.
But Shakhtar do want to sell him. Deputy sporting director Carlo Nicolini urged interested parties to get in touch with Shakhtar to make their offers.
“Now it will be time to get back in contact with the club, the agent and Mychajlo to see if anyone will start a negotiation. He’s a great professional, he’ll leave these voices to his agents. We’ll see if anything happens or not”.
It’s pretty clear they want a bidding war for their prized asset, and it’s just as clear that Arsenal will be regretting not upping their bid in the summer, when they could have landed him for significantly less.
NEWCASTLE BATTLE BARCA
Newcastle are reportedly ready for a bidding war with Barcelona over Brazilian star Andrey Santos, who’s been dubbed ‘the new Bruno Guimaraes’.
The 18-year-old made 33 appearances for Vasco de Gama in Campeonato Brasileiro Serie B, scoring eight goals from midfield in his debut senior season.
Reports in the summer suggested Newcastle lodged a £20m bid for the teenager which was rejected, with the asking price in January now £35m.
And according to Brazilian outlet Super Vasco, Santos is ‘in the sights of Newcastle and Barcelona’ ahead of that January window.
