Mykhailo Mudryk: Mikel Arteta Breaks Silence on Arsenal Losing Ukrainian Striker to Chelsea

• Arsenal had earmarked Mykhailo Mudryk as their top transfer target for the January transfer window.
• For weeks, the Gunners were understood to be in the driving seat in the race to sign the Ukrainian striker.
• However, they were unable to get the deal over the line after they failed to match Shakhtar Donestk's market valuation.
• The 21-year-old subsequently sealed a sensational move to rivals Chelsea and was spotted at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has broken his silence on the Mykhailo Mudryk transfer saga that saw the Ukrainian ace join Chelsea.

The Gunners had shortlisted Mudryk as their top transfer target for the January window but were unable to get the deal over the line.

According to Metro UK, the north Londoners were unable to agree a transfer fee with Shakhtar Donetsk for the striker, with the club holding out for £85 million.

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The publication claims that Arsenal's failure to meet the forward's valuation opened the door for his move to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea took advantage of the situation to snap up his services.

Chelsea chiefs Behdad Eghbali and Paul Winstanleyare are understood to have travelled to Turkey to negotiate directly with Shakhtar before returning to London with the 21-year-old after a €100m deal was reached.

Arteta speaks on Mudryk joining Chelsea

When asked about his feelings on losing out on their transfer target to their bitter rivals, Arteta admitted that there was every need to improve the current squad.

The Spaniard went on to clarify that he is happy with the squad he has.

"I am very proud to have the players that we have," Arteta told Sky Sports via Metro UK.

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"We always want to try to improve the squad. The club are the first ones to try to do everything they can to improve the players we have," he added.

Mudryk spotted at Stamford Bridge

Earlier, Sports Brief reported Chelsea's newest signing Mykhailo Mudryk was spotted at Stamford Bridge ahead of the Blues' Premier League clash vs Crystal Palace.

The transfer is reportedly worth £88m and the player will sign an eight and half year's contract.

The Pensioners announced their new signing in the middle of the Premier League game against Palace.