West Ham United target Mykola Matviyenko transfer for January window with Crystal Palace and Burnley among rivals
West Ham are “exploring a deal” for Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko in the January transfer window, according to TEAMtalk.
The outlet reported via their website on 26 September that the 27-year-old Ukraine international is in the Hammers’ sights for the winter, with his camp also looking into a potential move to England.
Wide interest is reported from the Premier League with Sheffield United, Everton, Burnley and Crystal Palace also said to be on the trail of Matviyenko from the Ukrainian champions.
The defender, who can play centrally or on the left signed a new deal after interest from Brighton and Brentford fell through in January last season, but a move to the top flight looks to be back on the cards.
In demand
David Moyes may have added Konstantinos Mavropanos to his central options during the summer but various links to left-backs led nowhere.
Aaron Cresswell is likely to move on sooner or later so proper competition for Emerson will be needed in turn, and with plenty of European experience in both the Europa and the Champions League a move for Matviyenko could be attractive for the Irons.
With 59-caps for his country he is the sort of senior figure that Moyes tends to value, although his lack of football in England might count against him in the Scot’s eyes.
With the new deal signed earlier this year to maintain his value it isn’t likely to be a bargain move, and there is apparently quite heavy competition.
So it will likely only be one that West Ham get done midseason if they are certain he is the right man to help lead them forward.
It may depend on how the season is shaping up at that point, with the start to the campaign looking far more positive than most of last term, even allowing for the two defeats to Manchester City and Liverpool.
The previous window may have barely been closed four weeks but the recruitment department at the London Stadium will constantly be looking forward, and if Tim Steidten gets set onto the Ukrainian’s case he may end up in the capital in the New Year.
In other West Ham news, an update has emerged on a key man’s contract situation amid talks with “tough” representatives with an interested club hovering.