JUST IN: Chelsea on the verge on kicking Arsenal off to sign Mudryk: Details here

Arsenal face stiff competition from Chelsea for the signing of Mykhailo Mudryk, with the Blues “ready to beat” the Gunners’ offer.

Mikel Arteta’s side have identified the Ukrainian winger as their number one transfer target, though so far their approaches for the 21-year-old have been rebuffed.

Arsenal’s initial £55million offer for Mudryk was rejected last week, with most of the proposed fee to be paid in add-ons rather than upfront.

The Mail Online is now claiming that the Gunners’ second bid of £62million is also expected to be rejected.

Shakhtar have publicly stated that they expect a fee of around £88million for the winger, who is celebrating his 22nd birthday tomorrow.

Chelsea ready to beat Arsenal to Mudryk

The Independent’s Miguel Delaney has claimed that Chelsea are ready to trump any Arsenal offer for Mudryk.

While it has been widely reported that the winger prefers a move to the Gunners after talks with Arteta, the Chelsea hierarchy remains “bullish” in it’s pursuit of the player.

The only unresolved issue between Arsenal and Mudryk is the fee, though Chelsea reportedly believe that they can yet take advantage of the situation.

Chelsea’s new owners, led by Todd Boehly, will reportedly be as active in January as they were in the summer, as they try and change the age profile of their squad.

Indeed the Independent claim Boehly is more than willing to take rivals on and “blow them out of the water” if necessary.

However, while Arsenal are conscious of Chelsea’s interest, they are confident Mudryk will eventually come to north London.