Missing out on Joao Felix now means that Arsenal could have a clear run to sign Mykhailo Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk, Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth has claimed.

What's the word?

Arsenal were interested in a deal to sign Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid, but Chelsea have swooped in for the Portugal forward.

Chelsea were also interested in Mudryk, and Sheth now believes that as a result of signing Felix, the Blues will no longer be in for the Ukrainian, giving Arsenal a free run at him.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Sheth explained that Chelsea's agreement over the forward could give Arsenal the chance to complete a deal for the 22-year-old Ukrainian.

He said: "I just wonder now, with the Joao Felix situation, whether Chelsea, now they are close to getting Joao Felix, whether they might just move away from the Mudryk situation - because they were in for him as well - and leave a free run for Arsenal."

Deal in the works

Given that Mudryk has indicated his preference to join Arsenal in recent weeks, the interest from Chelsea was perhaps unlikely to sway the player from wanting to move to north London.

Chelsea may still target an attacker following the Felix deal, but you can see how Arsenal look the most likely to secure Mudryk following the developments around Felix - and Mikel Arteta will be hoping to get the deal over the line ahead of a tough few weeks for the club.

The Gunners face Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in back-to-back league games as they look to continue their title challenge before facing Manchester City in the FA Cup, and the extra depth would give the side a massive boost if they can secure his signing soon.