Newcastle United are believed to have made an approach to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger, Mykhaylo Mudryk, as the Magpies seek to win the race for the Ukrainian’s signature.
What’s the word?
According to Football Insider, Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth is believed to have made a move for the 21-year-old ahead of the January transfer window, with the Tynesiders said to be ready to do battle with Premier League rivals Arsenal for the forward.
The report suggests that the northeast side’s owners, PIF, have given the ‘green light’ for Ashworth to spend in the New Year, with any deal for Mudryk likely to surpass their recent, club-record capture of Alexander Isak.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has previously suggested that while the youngster’s current side are publicly demanding a fee of around €100m (£86m), the belief is that a slightly lower offer could also see a deal agreed.
He’d be ‘frightening’ at St James’ Park
As journalist Fabrizio Romano recently revealed, a new winger is believed to be something of a priority for the St James’ Park outfit in 2023, as Ashworth and co look to bolster the current bid for Champions League qualification.
The addition of Mudryk would certainly be a real lift heading into the second half of the season, with the “frightening” talent – as lauded by journalist Josh Bunting – having dazzled both domestically and in Europe in recent times.
The eight-cap speedster boasts a remarkable haul of ten goals and eight assists in just 18 games in all competitions so far this term, including seven goals and six assists in just 12 games in Ukraine’s top flight.
It is in the Champions League, however, where the fleet-footed asset has truly made his mark in the current campaign, having been “on fire” in the group stage, in the words of talent scout Jacek Kulig.
Lauded as the “Ukrainian Neymar” – as per Kulig – the 5 foot 9 gem was particularly impressive in the opening game win over RB Leipzig after registering a goal and two assists away in Germany, having also sparkled in both meetings with Old Firm giants, Celtic.
The explosive asset netted a goal in each game against Ange Postecoglou’s side, showcasing the full extent of his breathtaking speed and elite finishing prowess after terrorising the Hoops from his left-wing berth.
Such performances having unsurprisingly caught the attention of Ashworth and Eddie Howe, with it a truly ‘frightening’ thought as to the havoc that Mudryk could unleash at St James’ Park were he to sign on the dotted line.
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