Frank McAvennie has backed Newcastle United to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk.

The Lowdown: Contact made

As per Football Insider, a 'Newcastle source' has shared that the Premier League club have 'made contact' with Shakhtar to 'register their interest' in signing the 21-year-old.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's (KSA) Public Investment Fund (PIF) have given Eddie Howe the 'green light' to bring in one 'box-office' signing in the New Year, and Mudryk is high up on the list.

The Latest: Toon Army would 'absolutely love' Mudryk

Speaking to Football Insider, McAvennie has claimed that, although he can envisage Mikel Arteta wanting to sign Mudryk for Arsenal, the 63-year-old 'can see' the Ukraine international moving to St James' Park, adding that the Toon Army would 'absolutely love' him to join.

The former Celtic striker said: “I can see Arteta wanting someone like Mudryk in there but they are a young team.

“Newcastle are going forwards. Somebody like Mudryk would be a great name for the north-east, they would absolutely love it.

“I can see it happening – Mudryk is Eddie Howe’s kind of player. He would not be going there just for the money. I can understand any manager wanting to bring him in. I would love to see him in the Premier League.“

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The Verdict: He'd be a statement signing

Mudryk would certainly be a statement signing for Newcastle if they are able to land him in January, especially if they can beat the likes of Arsenal to his signature.

The 21-year-old is enjoying a breakthrough season in his homeland, having managed ten goals and eight assists in 18 games across all competitions so far this term, including five goal contributions in the Champions League (Transfermarkt).

Shakhtar have reportedly placed an astonishing €100m (£88m) price tag on his head, a testament to how highly they rate him, so signing Mudryk would feel like a real coup for the Magpies.