Not for the first time, and just three weeks after reports suggested that West Ham United were stepping up their attempts to lure him to the Premier League, Ukraine international Georgiy Sudakov is speaking out about his desire for a fresh start away from Shakhtar Donetsk.
Of course, suggestions that a midfielder valued in the region of £40 million could arrive at the London Stadium in the near future will draw a wry smile from a West Ham United fanbase tired of seeing rumours come to nothing.
As a spokesman for the Premier League outfit told Hammers News last week, West Ham ‘can’t bring players in until we sell’.
Georgiy Sudakov, then, may remain something of a pipe dream at present. This is despite claims that Napoli – the Serie A champions had submitted a bid for a much-coveted attacking midfielder in May – have now walked away from the discussions.
West Ham United given Georgiy Sudakov glimmer after Napoli breakdown
Valentin Furlan, the reporter who claimed last month that West Ham had lodged an enquiry, added that Napoli were at the front of the queue. Leading Juventus, FC Porto, West Ham, and a Brentford side who may be about to sell Bryan Mbeumo for a £60 million windfall.
Matteo Moretto now claims that Napoli have drawn a line under their pursuit, however, after Shakhtar refused to budge on their £34 million asking price.
Antonio Conte’s side officially confirmed the arrival of Kevin de Bruyne this week, shortly after West Ham made an ambitious approach for the Manchester City legend. The pressure to agree a deal for Sudakov, then, is maybe no longer quite so fierce.
Sudakov admits he plans to leave Ukraine and Shakhtar Donetsk
As has been the case over the last 18 months, however, Sudakov remains as vocal as ever regarding his hopes of a new challenge in a more high-profile environment.
“I can say one thing, as much as I want to move to another team, I don’t want to move just as much,” he begins, the prospect of leaving a club he has represented since 2017 clearly tugging on his heartstrings.
“[Shakhtar Donetsk] is my second family. The team, the atmosphere there, and just the level of management at the club, I think it’s even at a higher level than in Europe.
“[But] I just want to develop. I want to try my hand in Europe, especially when there is an offer. The club is ready to really sell and is ready to communicate.”
“Of course [I want Shakhtar to make a big fee by selling me]. Of course, I want that so everyone is happy; the club, me and the president.
“I think that would be great.”
Sudakov scored 15 goals while providing six assists from midfield last season. Shakhtar would miss out on the Ukrainian Premier League title, however, after former claret and blue winger Andriy Yarmolenko fired Dinamo Kyiv to glory.
Vladyslav Vanat has been linked with West Ham too, Dynamo’s 21-goal top scorer.
But, until they manage to free up funds by selling the likes of Lucas Paqueta, Mohammed Kudus or Tomas Soucek, big-money acquisitions from Ukraine or anywhere for that matter will have to wait.
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