Agbonlahor: Arsenal could sign another Nicolas Pepe amid £62m news – ‘questions will be asked’
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted Arsenal target Mykhaylo Mudryk will prove to be a “really top player in England” despite only playing in the Ukrainian league.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed “questions will be asked” if the 21-year-old doesn’t impress – after big-money flop Nicolas Pepe returned to France last summer (2022).
According to the Daily Mail (4 January), Shakhtar are set to reject Arsenal’s second bid of £62million for Mudryk as they value the winger at around £88million.
The report claims Chelsea are also looking to hijack the Gunners’ deal for the starlet.
Pepe joined Arsenal for a reported £72million in 2019 after success in France – but he returned to Ligue 1 on loan last summer after scoring just 27 goals for the club.
Mudryk has played just 50 senior games – all of which have been for a Ukrainian side.
Agbonlahor told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s obviously a lot of money.
“But when you’ve seen players do it at the highest level, in the Champions League, you can go off that.
“He’s still young, and Arsenal will be aware that he will have a lot of coaching and improvement ahead of him.
“Look at the market – that kind of price is just where the market is for these kinds of players.
“He can run at speed, he can create – and Shakhtar are in a good position. I think he’ll prove to be a really top player in England.
“However, Pepe didn’t work out and that was big money too. This signing has to work out or else questions will be asked of the Arsenal transfer team.”
In other news, pundit backs Man City to agree deal for Arsenal star after latest development.