Chelsea are expected to hold talks with Shakhtar Donetsk about signing Mykhaylo Mudryk this week, according to reports.

The Ukrainian international has already been the subject of two bids from Arsenal and the Gunners are believed to be the player’s favoured destination.

With that being the case, supporters on Twitter are split on whether the Blues should start negotiations about snapping up Mudryk:

he would be a guaranteed starter and our best attacker, why would he reject us? #believe

— vv (@vvIaw12) January 4, 2023

We don’t need this guy ffs

— Pappy24 (@pappyrichie24) January 4, 2023

We might actually sign him pic.twitter.com/T8FcxCWqQR

— 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚟𝚘𝚘𝚘 #EnzoDay (@surennnn11) January 4, 2023

Seems like forcing arsenal to pay more .a bit obvious?

— kk (@kkulen) January 4, 2023

WHAT A PLAYER #CFC WOULD SIGN…MUDRYK TO CHELSEA WATCH…https://t.co/DpbklzTFdW

— Major Emmanuel🇰🇪 (@EmmannuelMajor) January 4, 2023

This would be a superb signing if it’s below £70m. He’s a near identical profile to Martinelli & alongside the Nkunku & Enzo deal, makes the club a lot more potent going forward, especially in transition. Unfortunately, I think it’s nonsense to force Arsenal to pay 🥲

— Zzzzzzz (@Fpl_Zzzzz) January 4, 2023

You do get the feeling that Chelsea are being used here. Shakhtar have been holding out for a huge transfer fee to sell Mudryk, with the club having slapped a €100m (£88m) price tag on the player’s head.

The Gunners have refused to meet the valuation so far but Chelsea’s involvement is likely to force their hand. The Blues shouldn’t be involved if Shakhtar just want to use their name for leverage.

Of course, if their London rivals don’t come up with the money for Mudryk, you can bet Todd Boehly will be waiting in the wings to swoop in regardless.