Dnipro have raised their price for Everton target Artem Dovbyk to £17 million after seeing fellow Ukraine international Mykhaylo Mudryk join Premier League giants Chelsea for a staggering sum this month, according to SportArena.
It seems Manchester United have a lot to answer for.
Shakhtar Donetsk made it clear when Arsenal and Chelsea were going head-to-head for Mudryk that one of Europe’s most exciting young attackers would be going nowhere for a penny less than the £85 million United paid to snatch Antony away from Ajax.
That ripple effect has now reached Goodison Park.
According to The Sun, Everton were ‘considering’ a late swoop for the free-scoring Dovbyk. A powerful, aggressive, 6ft 2ins centre-forward, Dovbyk looks tailor-made for a manager in Sean Dyche who got the best out of Chris Wood, Sam Vokes and Ashley Barnes at Burnley. All three players hit double figures in the Premier League under the new Toffees boss.
Everton are keen on Dnipro’s Ukraine international Artem Dovbyk
SportArena, however, insist that Dnipro want around £17 million. Almost double what they were demanding last summer. Dnipro have reportedly been encouraged to raise Dovbyk’s valuation after seeing Chelsea stump up an eye-watering fee to bring Mudryk to Stamford Bridge. A deal which highlighted the remarkable riches and financial might of Premier League clubs.
Well, most Premier League clubs.
Until Anthony Gordon’s move to Newcastle United earlier this week, Everton were reportedly being limited to short-term loan deals. It is only Gordon’s departure which has freed up funds for Dyche – who finally replaced Frank Lampard on Monday – to target a couple of eye-catching deadline day additions, with Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher a leading target.
According to Sky Sports, the England midfielder is not keen on a relegation battle at Goodison, however.
Dovbyk, meanwhile, has 16 goals and four assists in just 22 games this season. Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay, in contrast, have just two between them in Premier League action.
Everton also appear to have missed out to Southampton for £22 million Kamaldeen Sulemana.
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