CEO confirms transfer negotiations for €150m Arsenal target

Shakhtar Donetsk are in negotiations with Napoli over Georgiy Sudakov, CEO Sergiy Palkin has confirmed.

The versatile midfielder is regarded as the biggest talent hailing from Ukraine and has been expected to complete a transfer to a European top-five league for some time.

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In January 2024, Napoli reportedly launched an initial approach for Sudakov, but the offer was rejected by Shakhtar, who subsequently handed him a new contract with an eye-watering €150 million release clause.

The likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have also been associated with the 22-year-old over the past 18 months. However, the Ukraine international remains on the books at Shakhtar despite this high-profile interest.

Sudakov has enjoyed another brilliant campaign, notching 13 goals and providing six assists across all competitions this term, and he now looks set to finally get his big move.

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Sudakov set to join Napoli

According to Ben Jacobs, Napoli have reopened talks with Shakhtar over Sudakov, while Premier League side Brentford also hold a concrete interest.

When quizzed on the matter, Shakhtar CEO Sergiy Palkin confirmed that negotiations for Sudakov are currently taking place. The club boss is confident that the deal will go over the line, and added that even if it doesn’t, the midfielder will simply be sold to another suitor this summer.

“We are now in negotiations. I can’t announce amounts, but I believe we will close this deal, and on good financial terms. If we don’t finalise a deal with this current club, there will be another one. I am not worried about doing a deal for Sudakov.

“He’s one of the best in the world in his position. He can move to Italy or England. We have contacts. We have interest in him. It was the same with Mykhailo Mudryk. If he’s not sold ‘today,’ it will happen ‘tomorrow.’ It’s just a matter of time.”

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