Arsenal legend Ian Wright believes former Gunners target Mykhaylo Mudryk joined Chelsea from Shakhtar Donetsk “for money”.
Mikel Arteta made the Ukrainian international his top target and had lodged three bids to sign the player.
However, Chelsea swooped in and offered favourable terms to Shakhtar, landing Mudryk ahead of their London rivals.
Former Arsenal and England striker Wright admits he was “very excited” about the prospect of Mudryk joining the north Londoners and has said the 22-year-old has gone to Stamford Bridge ‘for the money’.
“With Mudryk I was very excited about that,” Wright said on the Arsecast podcast. “With the money it started to get into the realm where it could knock us off our axes in terms of what we’re trying to do.
“He looks like the kind of guy that would fit into our group. I was a bit disappointed but not disappointed that Arsenal went ‘that’s fine’.
“He’s gone there for money, I’m not going to blame him because he’s someone who has had a lot more going on around him personally and in his life.
“We cannot talk about how much money he wants to take for whatever reason. I’m not even going there if I’m being totally honest. I was just disappointed we weren’t able to get him because of how good he is.”
Wright also discussed Arsenal’s January business and whether or not he believes his former side need to further improve before the transfer deadline.
Arsenal have signed Leandro Trossard and Jakub Kiwior so far, but are reportedly looking to sign a new central midfielder and right-back.
Arteta has led the Gunners to their best ever start to a season, with Sunday’s win over Manchester United seeing the club hit the 50-point mark after 19 Premier League games.
Now the favourites to win the league, Wright thinks Arsenal should add to their squad.
“I would (make more signings), as long as they’re going to be in that sort of Trossard or Kiwior… that calibre of player,” he added.
“Hopefully they’re coming in with the mindset that they know they’re coming in as a squad player and this XI is doing amazing but I’ve got the capability of knowing once I get in there I can stay. That’s how our team is going to be pushed forward.
“When you talk about getting Leandro Trossard. A 28-year-old ready to be plugged in. He came in against United, a big club, contributed, it’s exactly what we needed. I’m happy with what we’ve got in as the back-up plan.”
SOURCE: .football365.com
