By Betsefy
Liverpool are reportedly in the race for Shakhtar Donetsk attacker Mykhaylo Mudryk, with the Reds ready to battle a number of clubs for his signature.
The 21-year-old has been in impressive form for his Ukrainian club during the 2022-23 campaign, scoring twice and providing three assists in five appearances.
Mudryk has two goals and two assists in two Champions League outings this term, and a number of clubs are believed to be keeping a close eye on his development.
Brentford were linked with the attacker over the summer, while there is also said to be interest from Arsenal, which led to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano claiming that Shakhtar would not be willing to listen to offers of under €50m (£43m) for a player regarded as a ‘potential star of the future’.
According to Calciomercato, Liverpool are now firmly in the race for Mudryk, who could have the pick of a number of clubs in England’s top flight.
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“In winter we will see. There were a lot of discussions about a transfer, about clubs who want me, but it’s normal,” the attacker recently told CBS Sports when questioned on his future.
“I’m in Shakhtar and I want to play in this team, I love every player in this team. Shakhtar for me right now is my home. For me it’s very important that all my thoughts [are on] Shakhtar, but in winter we will see.
“Yes. I think every guy dreams about the Premier League.”
In total, the Ukraine international has represented Shakhtar on 31 occasions, contributing four goals and 12 assists in the process, and he still has four years left to run on his current deal.
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Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna recently said that his club turned down an offer from Everton for Mudryk during the summer transfer window.
“We received an offer of €30m (£26.3m) [from Everton]. And when our president doesn’t sell a player for €30m (£26.3m), especially in such difficult times, he is sending a message to everyone that he wants to progress in the Champions League and to win the championship,” Srna told CBS Sports.
“Mudryk is a serious talent. After Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, he’s the best player in Europe in his position. If someone wants to buy Mudryk they must spend a lot, a lot, a lot of money and respect our club and our president.”
However, former Ukraine international Yevhen Levchenko took to Twitter earlier this month to question the youngster’s high valuation.
“With all my love for Mudryk’s football talent, this player cannot be worth 30m euros at this stage, and 50 even more so. Our club should learn to soberly evaluate its players, and not take away their opportunities for growth. And this applies to most of our clubs,” he wrote on his official account.
Mudryk has helped Shakhtar pick up four points from their opening two group games of this season’s Champions League against RB Leipzig and Celtic, finding the back of the net in both fixtures.
