Bayer Leverkusen close in on deal to sign Ukraine prospect Mudryk from Shakhtar Donetsk - reports

Credit: AFP

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen is closing in on the signing of 21-year-old Ukrainian winger Mykhaylo Mudryk from Shahkhar Donetsk. The youngster enjoyed a breakthrough season with the Ukrainian club in the 2021-22 Premier Liga season as he provided seven assists and scored two goals in less than 630 minutes of playing time.

Mudryk came off the bench several times to make an immediate impact on live football score, while his starring performance against Lviv back in December 2021 helped Roberto Di Zerbi's side win 6-1 at their adopted home ground Olympic National Sports Complex Stadium. 

The youngster was being lured to Italy by Juventus and reigning Serie A champions AC Milan. Furthermore, reports suggest Mudryk is also a subject of interest from Premier League side Brentford. However, their efforts were thwarted away as the player reportedly decided that he will only move to Bayer Leverkusen if a move transpires this summer.

The 2001-02 UEFA Champions League runners-up will be competing in the continental competition during the upcoming season, and their recruitment team is doing its best to explore the possibilities of signing their targets. 

While the club has renewed the contract of injured teenage sensation Florian Wirtz till June 2027, Moussa Diaby is being targeted by multiple sides across Europe, and the 22-year-old forward could be on the move with newly-rich Premier League side Newcastle United seriously interested in the forward.

Credit: Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Leverkusen are reportedly not interested in selling Diaby for less than 60 million euros, whilst the Magpies are prepared to part with 35 to 40 million to acquire the services of the Frenchman. The Paris Saint-Germain youth academy graduate has been crucial to Leverkusen’s attack since he joined back in 2019, as he has more than 70 goal contributions during the three seasons he spent in Germany.

If Diaby gets the big-money move, Bayer would be desperate to replace a player of his quality, and Mudryk seems like the natural replacement. However, if the report in Ukrainian media outlet ua-football.com is to be believed, Shakhtar are also trying to drive the price of their prized asset upwards, which could hamper the transfer. The player is presently rated at 9 million euros by Transfermarkt, and his contract with Shakhtar expires in December 2026.

It has been a busy few days in Germany as Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt roped in Mario Gotze for his 12th Bundesliga season after the 2014 World Cup-winner spent a couple of seasons in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven.

RB Leipzig also extended the contract of their star forward Christopher Nkunku despite strong interest in the Frenchman from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. 

Meanwhile, defending Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich roped in Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane ahead of the 2022-23 Bundesliga season for a reported fee of 32 million euros.