West Ham United may be back in the hunt for Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko as David Moyes pursues reinforcements at the back.
That’s according to The Athletic, who claim that Matviyenko has been on the West Ham radar in recent times.
90Min claimed in July that Matviyenko was viewed as an alternative target to Kurt Zouma, who did join West Ham in the end.
The Ukrainian defender is seen as a potentially more realistic target than Manchester City defender Nathan Ake.
City want to keep Ake, who has been linked with a move to West Ham.
Matviyenko sticks similar boxes in terms of being left footed, being a regular international and having more than 150 domestic appearances.
Matviyenko could now follow compatriot Vitaliy Mykolenko to England, with the Dynamo Kiev left back set for Everton.
Arsenal have chased Matviyenko before
Matviyenko has attracted plenty of Premier League interest in the past.
Arsenal were keen in January 2020 and Krymr reported earlier this year that Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have held ‘repeated’ contact with Matviyenko’s agent.
Neither side were got a deal done for Matviyenko though, with other defenders like Pablo Mari, Ben White and Cristian Romero prioritised.
West Ham could now swoop in though, finally bringing Matviyenko to London after all.
West Ham seemingly want Ogbonna’s heir amid Matviyenko interest
This all points to West Ham focusing on a left-footed centre back in the January transfer window.
Angelo Ogbonna is out for the rest of the season, and will be turning 34 come May.
West Ham need to think about a future beyond Ogbonna, and that may be why Matviyenko is on the radar again.
They are stylistically different though; Matviyenko is relatively small at 5ft 11in, but quick and impressive on the ball.
West Ham may now face a decision; wait until Ake becomes available or go for Matviyenko?
With David Moyes desperate for defensive reinforcements, it may have to be the latter.
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