Premier League rivals Chelsea and Arsenal are going head-to-head for the signing of Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk in the January window with the Blues having sent the wideman a strong message

Chelsea have issued an ultimatum to Mykhaylo Mudryk that they will only move for him should he want a switch to Stamford Bridge as they attempt to beat Arsenal to his signature.

The Gunners have been linked with a move for the Shakhtar Donetsk wideman for an extended period with Mikel Arteta keen to add to his attacking options in the January transfer window. Talks are ongoing between the two sides – Arsenal having already had one bid turned down for his services.

It remains to be seen whether the North Londoners stump up the £88m asking price put on Mudryk by Shakhtar as Chelsea wait in the wings to hijack any potential deal. The Blues have been linked with a move for the 22-year-old as Todd Boehly attempts to continue his bank-busting investment into the side at Stamford Bridge.

There are suggestions that Chelsea could make a move for Mudryk before the end of the month and would be willing to gazump any bid that Arsenal lodge for the winger. Meanwhile, Shakhtar director Darijo Srna was also spotted at Stamford Bridge for the Blues’ defeat at the hands of Manchester City.

However, before they do that, they want assurances that any move could be realistic having been stung in the past. As per The Telegraph, the Londoners want to avoid a similar situation to the one they went through in the summer.

They agreed a deal to sign Brazilian winger Raphinha from Leeds United, only to see him pursue a move to Barcelona instead. The Blues now want to receive guarantees from Mudryk that he would be interested in becoming a Chelsea player before they lodge what would be a huge bid.

It remains to be seen if they arrive but Mudryk has already seemingly dropped a few hints that he would only be interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium. The Ukrainian winger has tuned into a number of the Gunners’ matches this season, whilst he has also praised Mikel Arteta on a number of occasions.

In what is an even bigger hint that he would be interested, he previously claimed that a move to North London would be tricky to turn down.

Speaking to CBS Sports, the 22-year-old said: “I do dream [of the Premier League ]. I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. Arsenal is a very good team with a very good coach.

“I like the way they play. Yes it would be hard to say no from my side, I can’t say no but the transfer is not only my decision and my word.”

Mudryk has just under four years left to run on his current contract with Shakhtar having sparkled for the Ukrainian club this season. He has ten goals and eight assists in 18 appearances in all competitions.

SOURCE: mirror.co.uk