Arsenal have offered to buy Mikhailo Modric but Shakhtar Donetsk want £85m | Transfer window

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Arsenal have made an official bid to Shakhtar Donetsk for winger Mykhailo Modric, their first target in the upcoming transfer window, although their offer is believed to be below the asking price for the Ukrainian club.

Mudryk, a fast forward who turns 22 next month, has been a long-term target for the Premier League leaders and has attracted huge interest from elsewhere too. Brentford were poised to get him a club record signing over the summer, but Shakhtar, a notoriously tough negotiator, were unimpressed by the Bees’ interest. Arsenal were not involved in the bid but the Guardian understands they have now moved with the aim of securing the Ukraine international in January.

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Shakhtar would only consider paying an exorbitant fee for Modric, whose stock rose rapidly over the autumn with a string of impressive performances in the Champions League. Modric has scored three goals in six group stage matches and added seven goals in the Ukrainian Premier League season, which is currently on its winter break. They would like up to £85m for a player who is rated among the world’s best potential strikers, but Arsenal are unlikely to go that high.

The hope in north London is that a deal will eventually be orchestrated in a way that appeals to Shakhtar. Modric himself has made no secret of the fact that he would consider the move and publicly questioned Shakhtar’s valuation last month.

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