Arsenal have made luring Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk to the Emirates Stadium their 'main priority' ahead of the January transfer window, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.

Having spent close to £120million during the summer, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta will be given another opportunity to strengthen his squad at the turn of the year.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

GiveMeSport Transfer Update

What's the latest news involving Mudryk?

While Everton failed with a £26.1million bid during the summer transfer window, it appears it will now take a significantly higher fee to persuade Shakhtar into selling Mudryk.

That is because, according to The Athletic, the in-demand winger's price tag has risen to close to £88million as his current employers attempt to fend off suitors ahead of the winter window opening for business.

The report suggests Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain are keeping tabs on Mudryk, an eight-cap Ukraine international, while Brentford and Bayer Leverkusen joined Everton in making approaches during the summer.

Arsenal appear to be the frontrunners for the 21-year-old's signature as Romano has revealed the north Londoners held ‘very positive contacts’ with his representatives earlier this year, while he admitted he ‘can’t say no’ to a winter move to north London.

But Arsenal are facing stiff competition from Newcastle as they have reportedly made preliminary moves ahead of a potential January switch.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Fabrizio Romano said about Mudryk?

Romano understands that Arsenal are prioritising a move for Mudryk and will up the ante in their pursuit.

However, the transfer guru is aware that Shakhtar will not make it easy for the Gunners as they have already shown they will be hard negotiators.

Romano told GIVEMESPORT: "I think the main priority is Mudryk. The player they want is Mudryk.

"It's about the price because Shakhtar have been really strong in negotiations for more than a year.

"Also, in August, when Everton offered €30million, Shakhtar said no and they said no to €40million approaches as well. They want big money for Mudryk and it is not easy."

Why is Mudryk's arrival a priority for Arsenal?

Having targeted numerous wide-men over the course of the year - including Orlando City's Facundo Torres and Wolverhampton Wanderers talisman Pedro Neto - it is clear that Arteta wants to add more quality in that area of the pitch.

Mudryk, who has racked up 16 goal contributions in as many appearances this season, would certainly be a shrewd acquisition as he has shown that he can deliver the goods in the final third of the pitch.

The fact he has been a serious threat in the Champions League, where he has found the back of the net every 173 minutes, will have also caught Arsenal's attention.

Mudryk could play a key role in the Gunners maintaining their position at the Premier League's summit.

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