Arsenal Newsnow: Despite Arsenal’s continued interest in Allan Saint-Maximin, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has said that the club would not be selling any of its first-team players during the next January transfer window. Shakhtar Donetsk would not let Ukraine international winger Mykhailo Mudryk go for anything less than £84 million, the fee Manchester United paid to sign Antony.
Nonetheless, Howe has come clean and acknowledged that he does not expect any of his players to go this month despite rumours that a sneaky offer may be made.
He said, “I don’t really want to sell this window to anyone. But, and there’s always a but, it depends on what you get. You might want to keep the group together. But then something unexpected comes up that you or the club thinks is a good idea. Of course, I want to improve what we already have and not lose anyone. I don’t think we’re necessarily at the point where there are too many people or too many good things. That’s what I want to do as I sit here.”
Saint-Maximin is a part of a team that is currently challenging for championships, thus this is correct. We doubt he will be leaving this month. However, a large offer and a substantial salary bump may alter things.
Update about Mykhailo Mudryk to Arsenal:
Dialogue continues between Arsenal & Shakhtar Donetsk over Mykhailo Mudryk. #AFC have made clear how far they will go for 22yo winger so up to #Shakhtar if agreement reached. Talks complex but Arsenal hope deal gets done soon. W/ @gunnerblog @TheAthleticFC https://t.co/YLm4EbWlTf
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 14, 2023
The Gunners are certain that they will be able to sign Mykhailo Mudryk in time for him to be available for selection when they take on Manchester United a week from this coming Sunday. Shakhtar Donetsk has acknowledged that a transaction would be finalized. But the specifics of the transfer fee, which may be about £80 million, still needs work.
Shakhtar wants more than £50 million upfront. They also want realistic add-ons, so Arsenal, who play Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, would likely have to spend more than that. Arsenal’s bonus provisions are presumably contingent on the club either winning the Premier League or making the Champions League.
Ivan Fresneda to the Gunners?
Apparently, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund will be competing with Arsenal and Newcastle United to acquire Real Valladolid’s promising youngster Ivan Fresneda. The future of the right back, who is just 18 years old, seems to be the subject of many rumours.
Famous transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano tweeted on Thursday night, “Interest growing around Ivan Fresneda. Valladolid RB’s attracting Newcastle, Borussia Dortmund, and Juventus as called weeks ago but also more top European clubs have now joined the race. Born in 2004, Fresneda’s highly rated waiting for decision on his future.”
