Shakhtar Donetsk sporting director Darijo Srna has claimed that Everton failed with a bid for Mykhaylo Mudryk during the summer transfer window.
After breaking into the Ukraine squad, Mudryk has spent several months attracting widespread interest from clubs in Europe.
Arsenal and Brentford were each strongly linked with a move for the 21-year-old during the final days before close of business until January.
The winger has spoken openly about speculation regarding his future, acknowledging that he would find it difficult to turn down a move to the Premier League.
Speaking to CBS Sports, Mudryk said: "I'm in Shakthar and I want to play in this team, I love every player in this team. Shakhtar for me right now is my home. For me it's very important that all my thoughts [are on] Shakhtar, but in winter we will see."
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When quizzed on the Premier League and Arsenal, he added: "Yes. I think every guy dreams about the Premier League. It's hard to say but Arsenal is a very good team. Very good coach, I like the way they play."
At the time, Everton were also said to be admirers of Mudryk, and it appears that the Toffees tried to tempt Shakhtar into a sale.
Srna says that the Merseyside outfit proposed a bid of €30m (£26.2m) for the attacker, only to hint that the club were never interested in negotiating an exit.
Commenting on the interest to CBS Sports, Srna said: "We received an offer of €30m [from Everton]. And when our president doesn't sell a player for €30m, especially in such difficult times, he is sending a message to everyone that he wants to progress in the Champions League and to win the championship.
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"Mudryk is a serious talent. After Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, he's the best player in Europe in his position. If someone wants to buy Mudryk they must spend a lot, a lot, a lot of money and respect our club and our president."
Mudryk's stock has only risen in recent weeks after making an impact in each of Shakhtar's two fixtures in the Champions League group stages.
On matchday one, he chipped in with one goal and two assists as Shakhtar posted a shock 4-1 victory away at Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig.
That contribution was backed up with his team's equaliser during the 1-1 draw against Celtic earlier this week.
Darren Plant
