Mykhailo Mudryk shirt number choice as Arsenal transfer takes next step
Mykhailo Mudryk could be closing in on his Arsenal move after the Gunners' latest offer.
The Shakhtar Donetsk forward will be allowed to leave provided a club hits their valuation. The Ukrainian side are looking for more than £80m but Arsenal's latest offer, which could go up to £70m once add-ons are included, may be enough to sway them.
Mudryk himself is keen on a switch to the Premier League, with his latest social media post cryptically suggesting he is hopeful that a deal can be struck. It is thought that personal terms have already been agreed with a five-year deal at the Emirates waiting in the wings.
Mikel Arteta himself is hopeful of adding more firepower to his ranks as the north Londoners look to build on their impressive start to the season. They have largely played with a settled starting XI, which has placed huge demands on the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka.
Arteta has said on their January recruitment: "We knew the importance of getting players early in the summer and that is the same we want to do in January. This is idealistic. Sometimes it is not realistic. But obviously, if you ask my opinion, as quick as possible we want the players in to get settled.
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Should Mudryk completed his move to north London then he will have to pick his shirt number. Many of the traditional numbers are already occupied, but the Ukrainian can look to assume a number previously worn by several club legends.
Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Mykhalyo Mudryk (Getty Images)13
Traditionally reserved for goalkeepers - and they have largely donned the 13 shirt over the past decade. However former Gunners favourite Alexander Hleb wore the number for the three seasons he was at the club, with his talents earning plaudits from former team-mates.
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Worn by Cesc Fabregas when he first arrived in north London as a teenager. He assumed it from Ray Parlour, who wore in during the Invincibles season. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain wore it for an extended period with Ainsley Maitland-Niles its most recent occupant.
Oleg Luzhny - Mudryk's compatriot - won the Premier League and FA Cup with Arsenal (Getty Images)19
Nicolas Pepe had worn in following his club-record move, that has certainly not worked out as planned. Mudryk could yet exceed that fee if Shakhtar get their way and the Ukrainian may opt for a number that was once born by fan favourites Santi Cazorla and Gilberto Silva.
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The number 20 shirt was occupied by Nuno Tavares before he moved to Marseille on loan. Mudryk wore the No.20 shirt for Shakhtar last season before switching to his favoured No.10. He also wore the number previously for Ukraine Under 21s and, with the No.10 occupied by Smith Rowe, it could be his preferred option once again.
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Mudryk may opt for a number worn by one of his compatriots, Oleg Luzhny, who has been involved in his homeland's fight against Russia's invasion. The defender wore it for four seasons before Gael Clichy took it on. It was also worn by club legend David O'Leary.
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