Manchester United are reported to be among the clubs eyeing Ukrainian youngster Georgiy Sudakov, ahead of the transfer window.
The reports stemmed from Italian outlet TuttoJuve earlier this week, which claims Manchester United are watching Sudakov, and threaten Juventus’ own attempts to sign the player.
Here is a look at everything you need to know about the potential addition…
Georgiy Sudakov, the story so far
Georgiy Sudakov, 21, has been at Shakhtar Donetsk since joining in 2017 from Metalist Kharkiv, and has since progressed through the Ukrainian club’s youth system to their first team.
He made his debut in 2020 under Luis Castro at just 18, and has also played under former boss Roberto De Zerbi, now at Brighton.
Now wearing the club’s number 10 shirt, Sudakov has gone on to make 83 appearances for the club, which he has scored 13 times. This included a goal against Barcelona in the Champions League earlier this season.
Sudakov plays as an attacking midfielder, although has also lined on the the left wing occasionally.
He is also now established as a Ukraine international, scoring once in 12 appearances, after playing 20 times for their under-21 side.
Speaking to The Telegraph earlier this year, Sudakov compared his own game to James Maddison and Phil Foden, in terms of style.
Georgiy Sudakov player profile
- Age: 21
- Date of birth: 01/09/2002
- Position: Attacking midfield
- Club: Shakhtar Donetsk
- Nationality: Ukraine
- Contract: Until June 2028
How Georgiy Sudakov fits in
It is always difficult when attacking midfielders are linked to Manchester United, because there is always an expectation they will play second fiddle to Bruno Fernandes.
But it is also worth noting that Fernandes is 30 next year, and United will need to find a younger deputy to at least ease his game time and allow him to be rotated at times.
That might turn out to be Amad, or Mason Mount could seize a role, or, United could look to the transfer market.
If a decision is make to recruit, then it is a sensible fit to sign a young, up and coming talent, like Sudakov, rather than an established star. Sudakov would get time to adapt to the Premier League, and learn as Fernandes’ understudy.
Georgiy Sudakov to Manchester United analysis
Whether this deal happens will come down to price. United are looking to strengthen in midfield, but are prioritising options who can play further back.
Sudakov is being linked to clubs across Europe right now, 90min report Manchester City, Newcastle United and West Ham are all keen.
Last January, Shakhtar Donetsk hit the jackpot when they sold Sudakov’s former teammate Mykhailo Mudryk to Chelsea for £88.5 million. This fee looks highly over-inflated based on his performances since, and will make clubs reluctant to pay anything near the same value for Sudakov.
The last player United signed from Shakhtar was Fred, at £47 million in 2018, and it’s clear that Sudakov won’t come cheap.
With that in mind, we would be surprised if this is a deal United go through with, unless scouts are especially excited about his talent.
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