West Ham are eyeing up a move to sign Shakhtar Donetsk centre-back Mykola Matviyenko in the January transfer window.

That’s according to a report from 90 Min who claim that the Hammers could face competition from the likes of Brighton for the 26-year-old’s signature.

West Ham were actually linked with a move to sign the 54-Ukraine international in January of this year, but he remained with Shakhtar Donetsk in the end.

David Moyes definitely needs to bolster his central defensive ranks at the London Stadium at some point over the next two transfer windows.

Shakhtar Donetsk v Real Madrid - UEFA Champions League
Photo by Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Angelo Ogbonna and Craig Dawson are 34 and 32 respectively, and a younger central defender will definitely be needed if we are to really kick on in the new year.

West Ham eyeing up Mykola Matviyenko swoop

90 Min reckon that the Hammers are battling Brighton for the 26-year-old centre-back in January.

We think that the Ukrainian ace would be a really useful addition for West Ham.

Standing at 5ft 11in, Matviyenko isn’t the tallest of centre-backs. The left-footed ace is very comfortable with the ball at his feet though.

Matviyenko is an exceptional passer of the football. In six Champions League appearances for Shakhtar this season, the defender averaged 73.8 passes per game and recorded an incredibly impressive completion rate of 88.7 % (Who Scored).

Matviyenko is the kind of central defender who thrives when playing in a three. He can also operate at left-back.

West Ham eyeing up Mykola Matviyenko swoop
Photo by Berengui/DeFodi Images via Getty Images

The Ukraine international won’t come cheap though.

Sky Sports recently claimed that Shakhtar Donetsk will demand around £30 million for Matviyenko in the January transfer window.

That’s a lot of money to be paying for someone who is totally unproven in the Premier League. Perhaps £20 million or so would be a fairer price to pay.

Whether Shakhtar would be willing to accept that kind of offer from West Ham for Mykola Matviyenko remains to be seen though.

Read also:

Moyes made unforgivable decision for West Ham vs Leicester clash and the board must act

West Ham reportedly close in on first January transfer window signing

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