Mykola Matviyenko said he dreams of a move to the Premier League after West Ham United were linked with the highly-rated Ukraine international, while speaking to Football UA.
If David Moyes is serious about securing the services of a Champions League winner – one with over 150 top-flight appearances under his belt – then the Hammers will have to return with a far bigger offer.
According to the Guardian, Chelsea want £30 million for Zouma despite the fact that, should Jules Kounde arrive from Sevilla, the former Everton loanee will probably start the season as Thomas Tuchel’s fifth-choice centre-half.
But while Mykola Matviyenko is hardly the club’s first-choice transfer target, there are plenty of reasons to believe that the 25-year-old would represent better value for money than the aggressive but technically-limited Zouma (90Min).
Will West Ham turn to Matviyenko after their Kurt Zouma bid?
Technically-gifted and versatile, Matviyenko is equally comfortable at left-back and centre-half, impressing in a wider role at Euro 2020. He would also arrive at the London Stadium with five trophies under his belt, honing that fierce winning mentality back home in his native Ukraine.
“Of course, I have ambitions and dreams to play in the top leagues, England or Italy,” Matviyenko said, less than 24 hours after those links with West Ham emerged.
“But Shakhtar is also a top club. If I don’t have the opportunity to move somewhere, I’m ready to play my whole life at Shakhtar. This is a great club.”
Matviyenko, who admitted to having a slight fondness for Chelsea, was linked with the likes of Leeds United, Wolves, Arsenal and Bayern Munich a year ago.
Not that he was willing to give too much away when asked to respond to those rumours.
“I, personally, did not talk anyone. If you want to know, you can ask my agent.”
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