Arsenal are reportedly among the clubs ‘courting’ Napoli winger Hirving Lozano as a potential alternative to Shakhar Donetsk star Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Gunners’ main goal this window is to sign a winger and they have clearly identified Mudryk as their preferred option in that area.
The Ukrainian could have moved to the Premier League in the summer as Brentford and Everton were interested in him.
But Arsenal must have been impressed by the 22-year-old’s form in the Champions League this term as he was involved in five goals in six group games for Shakhtar.
His recent performances have rocketed his value. The Ukrainian outfit are rubbing their hands together and are insisting that their prized asset will cost as much as €100m this month.
Arsenal have already had two bids rejected for Mudryk. Their second offer is understood to be worth around £62m (€70m).
Chelsea are also in the running for Mudryk but Arsenal will likely benefit from the player openly admitting that he wants to move to the Emirates.
Although Arsenal may decide to pull out of the race if Shakhtar refuse to drop their asking price.
The Gunners are seemingly planning for this eventuality as La Repubblica (via Sport Witness) are reporting that Arsenal and Newcastle United are ‘courting’ Napoli attacker Lozano.
It was recently claimed that Liverpool are in ‘pole position’ to sign the Mexican who is out of contract in 2024. Transfermarkt value him at €28m.
Lozano has grabbed four goals and three assists in 20 appearances for Napoli this season but La Repubblica report that he ‘could leave at the end of the season’.
The 27-year-old has ‘repeatedly expressed in the past the desire’ to play in the Premier League with Arsenal and Newcastle mentioned as being interested.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein is more reliable when it comes to transfers and he has indicated that Arsenal are “staying calm” in their pursuit of Mudryk.
Ornstein also believes that Shakhtar’s asking price will “come down” later into the January transfer window.
“Arsenal have had two bids rejected, but their interest remains strong. I think they are staying calm and they’ll continue the conversations with Shakhtar. There is optimism at the Emirates Stadium that with patience they will get this done,” Ornstein told NBC.
“The player has very clearly indicated that he would like to join them [Arsenal]. His priority though, is the Premier League, and perhaps that’s given Chelsea a taste for this. Chelsea, as I understand it, are monitoring the situation.
“Shakhtar want €100m for his transfer. They’re not budging on that as things stand. Arsenal, Chelsea, maybe others, think they’ll come down. The suggestions we get from the industry is that when push comes to shove, ultimately they will come down.
“But they [Shakhtar] are not coming down [in price] at the moment. So I think this one may play out over the coming weeks towards the end of the transfer window. There’s not going to be a quick resolution, despite the fact Shakhtar officials are in London.”
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