Journalist Charles Watts has expressed his concern over a potential Arsenal deal for Mykhailo Mudryk.
The Gunners are currently in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk for the 21-year-old and have had a sizeable bid rejected.
The winger has been highly impressive this season, with ten goals and eight assists in 18 games for his club, but Shakhtar are asking for a fee similar to the £86m Manchester United paid for Antony.
Arsenal are currently top of the league and are looking to reinforce their attack amidst an injury to Gabriel Jesus as they seek to win their first league title since 2004.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts claimed that the fee Shakhtar are asking for is a big risk, considering Mudryk’s lack of experience.
“I’d be stunned. This is just me talking obviously, sort of looking at it on paper, and he’s not played that much senior football, he’s never played out of Ukraine,” he stated.
“That’s not dissing Ukrainian football at all, it’s just a fact. He’s not played in one of the top leagues.
“Obviously he’s done well in the Champions League this season, which has done a lot for his value. Still, I mean can you really be demanding 100 million? It’s very, very difficult if that’s seriously what they are only going to sell for.”
TIF thoughts on Mudryk and Arsenal…
Although it looks like it may be an expensive deal for the club, the price may eventually come down to a more reasonable level which Arsenal can afford in January.
Mikel Arteta is clearly keen on the player, and bringing him in now could provide a massive boost to their title challenge.
If Arsenal can afford the deal and he delivers, then the hefty fee will be instantly forgotten should he help the club win the league, and this is the gamble that faces Arteta now: does he pay a premium price knowing it could be the boost that keeps his side above Manchester City?
Even though he is inexperienced, Mudryk’s quality in front of goal is clear, and his performances in the Champions League have helped his fee skyrocket. If he does move to North London, he could yet be a key player for now and for years to come.