Arsenal hold ‘positive talks’ with Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk ahead of possible January transfer as Gunners consider loaning out Marquinhos

Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk is understood to have held ‘positive talks’ over a move to Arsenal ahead of a possible January switch.

The 21-year-old winger was heavily linked with joining the Gunners in the summer, but Mikel Arteta targeted a central midfielder instead.

It is believed that Mudryk remains on Arsenal‘s radar following a stunning start to the season where he has chipped in with seven goals and as many assists in 14 games in all competitions.

With rumours of him signing for the north London outfit failing to go away, Shakhtar’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin says the squad are joking that Mudryk is ‘already at Arsenal’.

Shakhtar sporting director Carlo Nicolini has confirmed the Gunners’ interest, but declared it would take £85million to prise him away.

But transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has insisted that it will likely cost up to £65m to land Mudryk, with Arsenal to potentially turn their interest into a formal bid.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “We know they [Arsenal] wanted a winger. Raphinha was the dream, but it was not possible to proceed.

“They have had very positive contacts on Mudryk’s side, on the player’s side.

“But then they decided not to proceed with Shakhtar because they wanted more than £40m-£45m.

“Now Shakhtar want £60m-£65m. It’s not going to be an easy one, but Arsenal are still following the player. They consider Mudryk a top talent and so Arsenal are still there.

“But let’s see because now the race is open with many top clubs involved, but Arsenal will be busy in the next few weeks.”

With one winger to potentially come in, another could depart the Emirates Stadium with Arsenal considering loaning out Brazilian starlet Marquinhos.

According to the Evening Standard, Arteta’s side are weighing up whether to ship out the teenager to give him regular first-team football.

A summer arrival from Sao Paulo, the 19-year-old has featured in four games – scoring once and providing a solitary assist.

But the right winger was never brought in to challenge Bukayo Saka this term with the youngster considered as one for the future.

Arsenal could still decide to keep Marquinhos should they fail to bring in a new forward and the club know they need a big squad with Arsenal into the knockout stages of the Europa League.