Shakhtar director Darijo Srna is seen at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea attempt to kidnap Mudryk

Shakhtar Donetsk director Darijo Srna was spotted at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea attempted to hijack a move for Arsenal target Mykhailo Mudryk.

Ukrainian club Shakhtar are expected to reject Arsenal’s improved offer for star winger Mudryk as they try to turn Chelsea’s interest to their advantage.

Srna was in London to discuss a deal for the £85m talent and was present for Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat by Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Shakhtar Donetsk director Darijo Srna was pictured at Stamford Bridge on Thursday

It comes after Srna (C) met former Arsenal striker Eduardo (L) and ex-Chelsea winger Willian (R) in London

Ukraine side are expected to reject Shakhtar Arsenal’s second, improved offer of £62m for Mudryk and use Chelsea’s interest to their advantage to spark a bidding war

It will be a concern for Arsenal as Srna sat just a few rows ahead of Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, who is looking to strengthen his side during the January transfer window.

The pursuit of the 21-year-old Ukrainian is heating up and Srna had people talking as early as Thursday after he was pictured having coffee with him Ex-Arsenal strikers Eduardo and Willian, who played for both clubs – but was much more successful at Chelsea.

Talks are taking place with Chelsea over the next 24 hours with Shakhtar chief executive Sergei Palkin and Srna, both in London.

However, Srna, a club star, has family in London and Brazilian-born couple Eduardo and Willian are both former team-mates of his at the Ukrainian giants, which could explain their meeting.

Arsenal made an improved offer of £45m, rising to £62m, for Mudryk, who has claimed he wants to join Arsenal – but Shakhtar have said they want closer to, if not more than £85m, and Chelsea’s presence in talks could bring the offers closer to that number.

Mudryk is Gunners boss Mikel Arteta’s main target this month and Arsenal have made two bids for the 22-year-old Ukraine winger. The first, believed to be worth around £52m, was rejected by Shakhtar, who publicly value Mudryk at around £88m.

The Ukrainian striker is Mikel Arteta’s primary transfer target in the January transfer window

Arsenal returned with an improved offer said to be worth up to £62million and there was optimism a deal would be agreed in this transfer window.

But they could now face competition from Chelsea, who are said to be looking at a possible move for Mudryk. They are thought to be more likely to splash out on Mudryk if their potential £100m move for Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez falls through.

Sources in Ukraine told sports mail that with CEO Palkin now in talks with both clubs, Shakhtar are likely to reject Arsenal’s improved offer as it remains “a long way” from their £88m target.

Shakhtar are believed to value Mudryk at around €100m (£88m) with Chelsea also interested

Shakhtar see Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City and Antony’s £85m move to Manchester United as a barometer of Mudryk’s shine so far this season

Srna, Shakhtar’s director of football, is in England for talks in the coming days. The Croatian visits London fairly regularly, sports mail understands, because his family lives in the English capital.

As of today, Chelsea are believed not to have submitted their own bid for Mudryk, but their interest could push up his price tag. And that’s despite the winger making it clear his desire to join Arsenal.

Shakhtar see Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester CIty and Antony’s £85m move to Man United as a barometer of any fee for Mudryk, who has been suggested by his former manager Roberto De Zerbi as a potential Ballon d’Or winner was described.