Mykhailo Mudryk: How Chelsea hijacked Arsenal's move for Shakhtar forward, a transfer months in the making

Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk for £88.5m. The 22-year-old was supposed to join Arsenal. Chelsea bought him to buy points. The Ukrainian winger was called the third-best left-winger in the world last summer by Darijo Srna.

Mykhailo Mudryk came through the Shakhtar academy in 2018. Brentford and Everton were interested in signing him. He was all but confirmed to be joining Bayer Leverkusen for around £20m last June. However, he decided to stay at Shaktar for the time being. He has eight caps for Ukraine.

Arsenal are interested in signing Shakhtar forward Mykhailo Mudryk. Chelsea hijacked the move in favour of Mudrryks. Arsenal have been watching him for a long time. He scored seven goals and provided six assists in 10 league starts. His Champions League performances also attracted attention.

Chelsea hijacked Arsenal's move for Shakhtar forward Mykhailo Mudryk. Arsenal had made an official bid of £45m for the player on Boxing Day. They then bid £62m plus bonuses on 12 January.

Mudryk is expected to complete his medical on Sunday and attend Chelsea's match with Crystal Palace on the same day. Chelsea and Shakhtar confirm the deal is almost complete. The deal will take Chelsea’s spending since Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought the club to around £40m. Arsenal are upset at the way Chelsea have done business recently. Chelsea are currently in the bottom half of the Premier League. They have spent £62m on Joao Felix and now forked out at least £88.5m up front for a virtual unknown at football's top table.