‘I’d probably choose Arsenal’ - Newcastle United target outlines January transfer demands

Newcastle United and Arsenal transfer target Mykhalo Mudryk has opened up on a possible move away from Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Ukraine international has been in fine form at club and international level of the last 12 months and is now viewed as one of European football’s hottest properties. After breaking into the Shakhtar first-team on a regular basis last year, Mudryk has quickly become a key player for the Ukrainian champions by providing 29 goal involvements in just 42 appearances.

His form with Shakhtar led to a first senior call-up to the Ukraine squad and Mudryk has gone on to win eight caps after making his debut as a substitute in a World Cup play-off semi-final win against Scotland earlier this year.

Some of European football’s biggest clubs are now believed to be showing a keen interest in the winger ahead of the January transfer window - although Shakhtar director of football Darijo Sina has already warned it will take ‘a lot of money’ to tempt his club into selling a player he rates alongside Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe as the best forwards in Europe.

That has not prevented Newcastle, Arsenal and Real Madrid from monitoring his progress and Mudryk has revealed his outlook on a possible move away from Shakhtar during the January transfer window.

Speaking to Ukrainian presenter Vlada Zinchenko on his YouTube channel, the winger said: “From a purely theoretical/fantasy perspective, if there was the option of being a bench player for Real Madrid or a starter for Arsenal, I’d probably choose Arsenal.

“It’s a tough question (about what he’s looking for at a new club) and involves a lot of factors in my answer. I would first want to know from the head coach that even if I wasn’t a guaranteed starter, that I’d receive a chance. Essentially, I need to hear directly from the manager what he envisages my role to be in his side (to influence such a decision). The team’s style of play will play a role (in my decision). It’s very important to me.”