Sky Sports pundit moots Everton and Arsenal advantage in £45m Mykhaylo Mudryk race
We’re delighted to welcome former Everton striker Kevin Campbell as our exclusive columnist. Each week the former Toffees captain will be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Goodison Park…
Vitalii Mykolenko could be a factor in helping Everton move for Ukrainian star Mykhaylo Mudryk as the race hots up, but the price could prove to be an issue, says Kevin Campbell.
The Toffees are the only side with a confirmed bid made for the Shakhtar Donetsk star, 21, after having €30million turned down in the summer transfer window, but with more and more sides joining the chase after his stand-out performances in the Champions League, the presence of an international teammate could help.
Sky Sports pundit Campbell fears the price tag, currently at least €50million, could grow past the level where Everton can compete, and noted former Toffees target Oleksander Zinchenko’s [Fabrizio Romano, 18 June] presence at Arsenal as another potential draw, but in light of the excellent form of Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray he isn’t convinced the move would even be necessary.
Speaking exclusively to Goodison News about Mudryk he said: “He is playing well. If I’m honest with you I think it just depends on what Everton want to do.
“Because Frank Lampard made the decision to not involve Dominic Calvert-Lewin [against West Ham], give him the international break to really train and get some time and training in his legs before it restarts again in a couple of weeks.
“That’s smart management. Now, Demarai Gray I thought was excellent on Sunday [18 September]. Gordon was good as well.
“If you bring Mudryk in, which one of these guys gets dropped?
“These guys have been doing really well. We’ve seen Gordon score really important goals, he’s developing.
“I know €50million, it’s a lot of money now. Everton have spent a lot of money previously so they’re having to be smart how they do things, and maybe he might get priced out of the market for Everton.
“Because I know Arsenal have been looking at this youngster, and the fact that Zinchenko’s there might be a factor. But Mykolenko’s at Everton so sometimes you just don’t know.
“But I think, how things stand, the move might get priced out of Everton’s price range.”
At this point it feels like the stretch for the Everton budget to accommodate a rising star who is attracting interest across Europe.
But that could all change if the run on Gordon rematerialises at the same time, as a hefty fee brought in if they are unable to fight off advances for the Merseyside local a second time would put them back in the running for Mudryk.
One player of the same nationality in the team won’t make all the difference alone, but it doesn’t hurt to have another line of communication available to grease the wheels if the club do try again, having put themselves out there early with the summer bid.