Chelsea 'reach agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk'

Chelsea have reportedly come to an agreement with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk, as the Blues attempt to beat Arsenal to the attacker's signature.

Arsenal have been heavily linked with the 22-year-old during the January transfer window, with the Gunners thought to be on the verge of securing his signature.

However, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have now come to an agreement with Shakhtar over a deal for the Ukraine international.

Romano claims that Graham Potter's side have submitted an offer of €100m (£88.7m) for the forward, with the capital giants now pushing to convince Mudryk to move to Stamford Bridge.

The journalist claims that the Ukrainian, who is set to travel to London on Saturday night, has been determined to join Arsenal this month, and he could now have a choice between the two Premier League clubs.

© Reuters

Mikel Arteta's side have allegedly placed a bid of €95m (£84.2m), which remains on the table, but Chelsea are doing everything they can to hijack the deal.

Mudryk has been in impressive form for Shakhtar during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 10 goals and registering eight assists in 18 appearances in all competitions.

The forward has managed seven goals and six assists in 12 league outings, while he contributed three goals and two assists in six appearances in the group stage of the Champions League.

Romano claims that Chelsea's board made the trip to Poland on Saturday to begin talks, with the club prepared to spend heavily this month in the hope of turning the tide amid a poor run of form.

© Reuters

Potter's side have lost their last three matches in all competitions, including a 2-1 defeat to rivals Fulham in the Premier League on Thursday night.

Chelsea have won just once in the league since the middle of October, meanwhile, with the poor run of form leaving them 10th in the table, 10 points off the top four.

The Blues have already made four signings this month, with Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana arriving on permanent deals, while Joao Felix has joined on loan from Atletico Madrid.

Mudryk, who has 12 goals and 17 assists in 44 appearances for Shakhtar in all competitions, recently dropped a hint that he was on the verge of making the move to Arsenal.

However, Chelsea are now said to be in a strong position to sign the Ukrainian in what would be a huge blow to the team currently at the top of the Premier League table.