PSG considering hijacking Mudryk's move to Premier League; De Zerbi eyes reunion with Shakhtar’s Matviyenko

Credit: FC Shakhtar Donetsk

French giants Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as contenders to sign Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk, who has been a subject of interest from Manchester City and Arsenal. Meanwhile, Bright & Hove Albion manager Roberto De Zerbi is interested in bringing Mudryk's teammate, Mykola Matviyenko, to the Amex. 

Shakhtar's Mudryk has been one of the Europe's hottest players in recent months. The speedster has been making football news headlines last year, and he doesn't seem to slow down as the 21-year-old netted seven times and registered seven assists in 12 appearances across all competitions so far this season. 

The player has attracted an interest from numerous European clubs, with the likes of Newcastle United, Sevilla and Juventus having been mentioned as potential candidates for his signature. As confirmed by the Ukrainian side's executive Carlo Nicolini last week, Manchester City and Arsenal are the two clubs who show serious interest in the player. 

According to Nicolini's words, Shakhtar will accept no less than 100 million euros for the Ukraine international. City and Arsenal's stance on the matter remains unclear, but the deal involving such a sum looks rather unlikely. Jack Grealish's 117 million euro move from Aston Villa to City in 2021 was the only time in history that either of these clubs paid a similar amount for the player. 

Italian media outlet SportMediaset now reports that defending Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have intention to pay the full price tag. The Parisians are expected to start negotiations in the upcoming weeks before completing the formalities of a deal in January. Incidentally, the move could take place by the time when PSG's stalwart striker Lionel Messi, who has been linked with a return to Barcelona recently, will re-sign for his boyhood club.

Credit: AFP

Meanwhile, Mudryk's teammate, Mykola Matviyenko, could also leave the Ukrainian side. The Athletic journalist David Ornstein reports that the 26-year-old centre-back could join Brighton & Hove Albion in the winter transfer window.

Sport.ua describes the 6-feet tall Matviyenko, who has been capped 52 times by Ukraine, as a solid first-choice option and a good passer with a strong heading ability. Per Ornstein, Brighton are ready to pay a sum of around 20 million euro for the defender.

The Amex Stadium-based side is are being managed by former Shakhtar boss Roberto De Zerbi. Having been appointed as Graham Potter's successor, the Italian only earned two points from his five games in charge before beating Potter's Chelsea 4-1 on October 29.

Mydryk's Shakhtar deal runs until December 2026, while Matviyenko's current contract expires in June 2025. Igor Jovicevic's side are second in the Ukrainian Premier League table with 20 points, five behind Dnipro-1 (25), who have played one game more than Shakhtar.

With one fixture left until the end of UEFA Champions League group stage, the Donetsk club still stands a chance of qualifying to the knockout phase. Picking up all three points against RB Leipzig on November 2 is needed for them to advance to the round of 16.