Arteta and Zinchenko 'called Mudryk almost EVERY DAY' to try and sign him - Shakhtar Donetsk CEO

Before Mykhailo Mudryk signed for Chelsea, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and defender Oleksandr Zinchenko allegedly phoned the Ukrainian winger every day in an effort to sign him.

The highly regarded winger, 22, who was Arsenal's top January target, was acquired by the Blues on Sunday for £88.6 million.

According to Sergei Palkin, CEO of Shakhtar Donetsk, Arteta and Zinchenko spoke with Mudryk over two months before Arsenal contacted Shakhtar.

'Arsenal contacted the player almost one-and-a-half months before they contacted us,' he told The Athletic.

'Can you imagine, for example, to have Mikel Arteta, Oleksandr Zinchenko and the sporting director calling you, to have Arsenal calling you almost every day, every two days, every three days?

'You can want or not want the move, but you follow this kind of reception and contacts.'

Prior to Chelsea swooping in at the eleventh hour to sign Mudryk to a hefty eight-and-a-half year deal, the Gunners had seemed to be in the driver's seat for the Ukrainian attacker.

Palkin stated in the same interview that Shakhtar turned down an offer from Arsenal that, with add-ons, equaled Chelsea's £88 million offer.

It occurred after Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali and director of international transfers Paul Winstanley traveled to Turkey on Saturday to observe training sessions for Shakhtar and flew back to London with the player.

At Stamford Bridge, before Chelsea's weekend match against Crystal Palace, Mudryk was introduced to the crowd.

The 22 years old will make his debut for Chelsea against Liverpool this weekend. 

Mudryk who has been handed shirt no 15 is expected to lead Graham Potter attack as the Blues hope to turned their season around.