Arsenal close to club-record £80m deal for Mudryk

ARSENAL are close to sealing a club-record deal with Shakhtar Donetsk for Mykhaylo Mudryk.

Sources in Ukraine say talks are ongoing over a deal worth £75-80million for the Ukraine winger. Shakhtar want £88m for the 22-year-old and it is understood Arsenal are prepared to offer more than £50m up front. The clubs are trying to find a deal on performancebased add-ons and whether these can be achieved by Mudryk. Arsenal’s transfer record is £72m for Nicolas Pepe from Rennes in 2019, while an £80m deal would make Mudryk the joint-fifth most expensive Premier League signing. Personal terms will not be an issue, as Mudryk has made clear his desire to join Arsenal. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta says he cannot change how he is on the touchline amid criticism of his behaviour. Ahead of what is sure to be a fiery north London derby tomorrow, the Arsenal manager said he has no power over his emotions. ‘Mine I can’t control,’ said Arteta. ‘I am who I am. I try to do my best to defend the players. Certain people will not like it — if everybody liked me, it wouldn’t be very good.’ Arsenal were charged this week by the FA for the second successive match — and third occasion this season — for their players’ conduct in Monday’s FA Cup win at Oxford. Arsenal were yesterday fined £40,000 for their behaviour in last week’s draw with Newcastle, when Arteta clashed with Eddie Howe. On his players’ conduct,

Arteta added: ‘We have to defend ourselves and need to be competitive, within the law and respecting the opponents and referees.

‘I care a lot about the reputation of the club. ‘It’s not that I don’t care. When I’m sitting at home I care about what my wife thinks and what people think, but when I’m in public I care a lot about what can we do that is the best for the club.’