Arsenal transfer news: Modric drops Arsenal tip

Arsenal fans have received a boost in their club’s pursuit of “Ukrainian Neymar” Mikhailo Modric.

Arsenal are in the market for a winger and Arsenal are said to be pressing to get the 21-year-old from Shakhtar Donetsk ahead of Thursday’s transfer deadline.

Modric scored two goals and seven assists from just 11 matches in the Ukrainian league before the competition was disrupted by the Russian invasion.

And the young wide man – dubbed “Ukrainian Neymar” by fans – has now liked an Instagram post claiming Arsenal are interested in signing him.

Shakhtar want 29 million euros for Modric, who has played five international matches with his country and has participated in six matches in the Champions League so far.

While Gabriel Martinelli in particular has starred for Arsenal so far this season, helping them to the top of the Premier League, Mikel Arteta still wants to add more wings.

Bukayo Saka is the subject of continued interest from Manchester City, while Nicolas Pepe has been allowed to leave on loan to Nice after a disappointing spell in north London.

A netto replacement is needed

Wolverhampton Wanderers’ player Pedro Neto is understood to be Arsenal’s first choice in the center, but the £50m/€58m fee required for the Portuguese could prove too steep as Arsenal try to stay within FFP regulations.

Modric will be relatively budget friendly, and the hope is to quickly settle into Emirates with fellow international and friend Oleksandr Zinchenko, who already joined from Manchester City in a £32m/€37m deal in July.

Wilfried Zaha of Crystal Palace is another option. The former Manchester United player has scored four goals in four Premier League games so far this season, and has grown up with Arsenal.

Arsenal’s interest in Modric has caught the player’s attention on social media. The young man posts his likes and Instagram from the “Transfers” account, which has 2.7 million followers.