Earlier this week, a footballer on the radars of Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham Hotspur and most of Premier League’s more deep-pocketed clubs opened the door to English football.
Despite links with the Spanish giants, despite interest in Italy, following in the footsteps of Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden and James Maddison – three players Georgiy Sudakov likens himself to – is something which obviously appeals to the Ukraine international.
TBR understands that both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have watched Georgiy Sudakov in European action this season for Shakhtar Donetsk.
Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City have all made enquiries at some point in the last 18 months too, Pep Guardiola’s stuttering champions eyeing potential additions in the attacking midfield role with Kevin de Bruyne’s contract running down.
Newcastle, West Ham United and Aston Villa are in the mix too. TBR have also been told that a January departure from Ukrainian giants Shakhtar is possible for Sudakov.
And every one of his suitors will be delighted to learn that Sudakov is keen on a Premier League switch.
Heorhiy Sudakov of Ukraine poses for a portrait during the Ukraine Portrait session ahead of the UEFA EURO 2024 Germany on June 13, 2024 in Wiesbad...
Photo by Pat Elmont – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Georgiy Sudakov’s agent admits Premier League interest with Liverpool and Tottenham keen
His agent, Vadim Shabliy, has previously orchestrated a big money switch from Shakhtar to England.
He helped Chelsea secure the services of Mykhaylo Mudryk in the winter of 2023, the London giants beating Arsenal to a winger who, in truth, has struggled to live up to even a fraction of his initial £62 million price-tag.
The lack of impact made by Mudryk at Stamford Bridge has not, it would seem, put their rivals off the idea of raiding Shakhtar again. So, Shabliy could be a very busy man on both sides of Christmas.
“Georgiy is a player with a great future,” Shabliy says. “He, like most footballers, wants to try his hand at the top championships. It is absolutely normal when a player wants to grow professionally.
“Previously, Serie A giants and others were interested in him. Now, teams from the Premier League are actively showing interest in him.
“I am sure that when we are all ready to move on, Georgiy will move to a top club. We, Shakhtar and the player are open to offers. And that means there is a high probability that we will soon be able to see Georgiy in the top leagues.”
As Shabliy points out, Italian clubs have made a play for Sudakov in the past.
Darijo Srna, Shakhtar Donetsk’s sporting director, insists that any bids must now start at around £50 million having turned down a £40 million bid from former Serie A champions Napoli not so long ago.
“At the moment, I am focused on Shakhtar,” Sudakov told Marca earlier this week. “I want to continue to develop and help the team succeed. [But] in the future, I want to try myself in one of the best European championships.”
“I think my style is better suited to Spain or England. La Liga values technical skills, while the Premier League would help me improve physically and tactically.”
Arsenal found goals and wins relatively hard to come by during Martin Odegaard’s recent ankle problems. Perhaps Sudakov, who describes himself as a footballer with similar attributes to The Gunners’ talismanic skipper, could help ease that creative burden.
“I consider myself a creative midfielder who loves to control the game, make key passes and help the team both in attack and defence,” Sudakov adds, contributing 16 goals and assists combined in 2023/24.
“I strive to be a leader on the pitch, a player who sets the pace of the game. As a child, I admired Andres Iniesta and Luka Modric for their intelligence and composure on the ball. I am also inspired by Kevin de Bruyne for his creativity and influence in decisive matches.
“My strengths are vision, passing accuracy and reading the game. However, I am constantly working on improving my finishing and fitness to become a more versatile player.”
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