With all the focus on Mykhaylo Mudryk, there is another Shakhtar Donetsk player who might just be on his way to the Premier League in the New Year.
According to 90Min, Brighton and Hove Albion coach Roberto de Zerbi is eyeing a winter raid of his old employers ahead of the January transfer window. And while the jet-heeled Mudryk moved beyond Brighton’s reach some time ago – Shakhtar’s deputy vice president is publicly demanding £85 million for the Ukraine international – Mykola Matviyenko certainly feels a lot more attainable.
He is reportedly valued at a hefty but not-totally unreasonable sum of £17 million (Athletic). What’s more, the versatile defender has made no secret of his desire to play Premier League football at some point in the future.
“Of course, I have ambitions and dreams to play in the top leagues; England or Italy,” Matviyenko said last year.
West Ham, Brighton and Leicester City like Mykola Matviyenko
90Min say that Brighton are likely to face competition for the 54-cap Ukraine international; West Ham United, Leicester City and Brentford (who tried and failed to sign Mudryk before his Champions League explosion) are also among Matviyenko’s admirers.
This is not the first time West Ham have expressed an interest either. And suggestions that the London giants may be kick-starting their pursuit of a long-term transfer target, who can play on the right, the left or in the middle, could have potential ramifications for one of the longest-serving members of David Moyes’ squad.
A month from now, Aaron Cresswell will celebrate his 33rd birthday. West Ham recently activated an extension clause in his contract but, with the Hammers falling short of the standards they set during the last few seasons, Cresswell feels like something of an unfortunate posterboy for the club’s recent decline. Then again, that’s perhaps to be expected, given his advancing years. If Cristiano Ronaldo cannot defy Father Time forever, than neither can Aaron Cresswell.
The 2014 signing from Ipswich Town committed a number of high profile defensive errors during last term’s Europa League heartbreak. His impact at the other end of the pitch is diminishing too. Cresswell produced 15 assists in the last two seasons. He is yet to create a single goal in 2022/23, however; albeit some of that is down to Tomas Soucek’s own poor form.
Matviyenko’s ability to play in the middle of wide on the left could make him an ideal long-term successor when the time comes to bring an end to Cresswell’s long stay in the capital.
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