AliousLiverpool’s Sudakov Pursuit in Jeopardy as Shakhtar Slap Enormous €70m Price Tag on Midfield Starlet
Liverpool’s hopes of landing one of European football’s brightest young talents may have been dealt a significant blow, with Shakhtar Donetsk reportedly demanding a staggering €70 million (£60m) fee for midfield starlet Georgiy Sudakov.
The 21-year-old Ukrainian international has emerged as a top target for the Reds as they look to revamp their midfield options this summer. Sudakov is already a full international with 14 caps and has excelled for Shakhtar, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists across all competitions this season.
His performances have not gone unnoticed across Europe, with Juventus, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur also credited with interest in securing his signature. However, Shakhtar are digging their heels in over their huge valuation.
The Ukrainian champions are believed to be keen to keep hold of Sudakov until after next summer’s Euro 2024 tournament, where he is expected to play a starring role for his country alongside the likes of Mykhaylo Mudryk and Oleksandr Zinchenko. Shakhtar are hoping Sudakov’s displays at the Euros will further increase his transfer value.
As such, the club has slapped an eye-watering €70m asking price on the young midfielder’s head in an attempt to discourage potential suitors – or at least maximize their profit should they decide to cash in on their prized asset.
The mammoth fee could prove prohibitive for Liverpool, who recently had to stretch their budget to seal the £35m signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton. Matching Shakhtar’s steep valuation of Sudakov may be a bridge too far for the Anfield hierarchy.
Unless the Ukrainian club lowers its demands, Liverpool may be forced to pursue alternative midfield targets or focus their resources elsewhere as they attempt to re-tool their squad. But they risk missing out on one of the continent’s hottest prospects in Sudakov.
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