The agent of Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko has confirmed they're in talks with Arsenal.

The stopper admitted yesterday that his agent was in contact with the Gunners.

And Yuriy Danchenko was quoted by Sport-Express: "For the last time, my colleagues and I have been constantly in contact with representatives of Arsenal, and have meetings.

"The directors of the Gunners have already contacted Shakhtar, and we hope that these negotiations will succeed. Shakhtar do not often sell pupils of their academy to the leading clubs in Europe, so for them this transfer can become significant in many respects.

"We'll see how things will develop further, but Arsenal wants to carry out the deal before February 1, through the current transfer window. Amount of transfer? I cannot tell you such details. You'll find out soon."