Arsenal are expected to head to the negotiating table and make a bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk 'soon' as they look to lure the Shakhtar Donetsk star to the Emirates Stadium, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

The Gunners may be five points clear, but boss Mikel Arteta could still freshen up his squad when the winter window opens for business next month.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

Arsenal transfer news - Mykhaylo Mudryk

According to The Athletic, Arsenal have identified Mudryk as their priority target and there is confidence that a move could be rubber-stamped during the early stages of 2023.

The report suggests the Ukrainian may be signed for less than his £86million price tag, while the Gunners have been in contact with Shakhtar and their target’s representatives.

CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has told GIVEMESPORT that there is optimism that Mudryk wants to swap his homeland for north London.

It comes after respected Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed that Arsenal held ‘very positive contacts’ with the 21-year-old’s representatives during the summer.

But Manchester City, Newcastle United, Paris Saint-Germain, Brentford, Everton and Bayer Leverkusen have also shown an interest in Mudryk, so a transfer to the Emirates Stadium is not a foregone conclusion at this stage.

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

What has Dean Jones said about Mudryk?

Jones is growing in confidence that Arsenal are set to up the ante in their pursuit by lodging a bid for Mudryk.

The journalist believes the capital club are keen to reach an agreement with Shakhtar during the January transfer window.

Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "I know the avenues of getting this done are already very open, so I think we'll see a bid soon, to be honest.

"I think Arsenal will go ahead with this and try to get it done if it's absolutely everything they are aiming for and a player of this type."

How has Mudryk performed this season?

It should not come as a surprise that Mudryk is in-demand heading into the January window as, according to Transfermarkt, he has scored 10 goals and registered a further eight assists in 18 appearances.

He was also incredibly productive during the group stage of the Champions League, with Sofascore statistics showing he found the back of the net every 173 minutes.

Mudryk’s efforts were in vain as Shakhtar failed to progress, but there is no doubt that his stellar displays will have boosted his chances of moving to an elite European side. 

Only two team-mates performed better in the competition, having been handed a 6.93 average match rating by WhoScored.

Respected journalist Andy Brassell has described Mudryk as 'outstanding' and the Shakhtar talisman has shown that Arteta would be making a shrewd investment.

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