Arsenal are reportedly still well-placed to secure the signing of Shakhtar Donetsk sensation, Mykhaylo Mudryk, according to transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano.
What's the word?
As per the respected journalist, the Gunners are still said to be the frontrunners to land the 22-year-old despite rival interest from Chelsea, having now lodged a fresh offer in order to finally get a deal for the Ukrainian international wrapped up.
Writing on Twitter about that developing story, Romano stated: "Excl: Arsenal have submitted a new bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk in the last few hours. Parties are now getting closer, no breakthrough yet — talks ongoing with Shakhtar Donetsk.
"Arsenal are still leading the race — no official bid from Chelsea, as things stand."
The fleet-footed sensation has been valued at a fee of around €100m (£88m) by his current side, although the north Londoners are said to have placed a bid of closer to €70m (£62m), as Romano has since confirmed.
Imagine him and Odegaard
It would appear that the Emirates outfit have their eyes firmly set on signing the youngster this month, with Mudryk's arrival only set to help further strengthen the club's push for the title.
The "unreal" talent, as lauded by broadcaster Jack Collins, has been in simply scintillating form in his homeland in recent times, scoring ten goals and laying on eight assists in just 18 games in all competitions so far this term.
Such "frightening" form, as per journalist Josh Bunting, has ensured that the 5 foot 9 man's overall record for the club now stands at 29 goal involvements in only 44 games to date.
That rather remarkable ratio is evidence of just why Mikel Arteta and co are so keen to bring the eight-cap speedster to England, with it a truly mouthwatering thought as to the damage he can inflict on the rest of the Premier League.
The emerging starlet has certainly caught the attention of both supporters and media alike as a result of his performances in recent months, with The Athletic's Nick Miller having only recently outlined Mudryk's qualities, writing:
‘At this stage of his career, he’s still a little unrefined but is essentially an agent of chaos, raw and incredibly talented, someone you can drop in the middle of most defences and cause panic.’
Arteta could well be able to get the best out of the explosive ace due to the presence of skipper, Martin Odegaard, with the Norwegian playmaker seemingly the man to provide quality service to Mudryk in the final third.
That creativity is illustrated by the fact that the 24-year-old ranks in the top 14% in Europe for progressive passes made among those in his position, having laid on five assists already in the top flight this term.
The pair could also prove an effective partnership due to their apparent likeness, as per FBref, with Odegaard ranking in the top 2% for non-penalty goals and the top 6% for touches in the attacking penalty area, while Mudryk ranks in the top 1% and the top 7% for those same two metrics, respectively.
That showcases the duo's ability to make the difference at the top end of the pitch, with it a real bonus for the Gunners to be able to bring in a player who could well replicate Odegaard's impact in the side.
After weeks and months of speculation, the hope is that the league leaders are now edging closer to finally confirming Mudryk's arrival.