Target-driver Ukrainian ace under radar in Premier League and Serie A

Giorgiy Sudakov has five Premier League clubs and a trio of Serie A sides exploring a move, with Juventus and Napoli previously tabling an offer.
Giorgiy Sudakov has already been offered the opportunity to sign for Juventus
Giorgiy Sudakov has already been offered the opportunity to sign for Juventus | GIORGI ARJEVANIDZE/GettyImages

The Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder is attracting attention for his prolific campaign, after bagging his highest-ever tally of goals in a season.

The 22-year-old previously turned down the chance to join Juve and Napoli, preferring to hone his skills in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Now that the Ukraine international has got on top of his game, his agent Vadim Shablii is open to a switch to a club that offers Champions League soccer.

Fiorentina are the other Serie A team exploring a swoop, although they are off the pace for a top four finish. It seems likely that they will miss out on continental competition in Europe’s leading club tournament.

Juventus are also not guaranteed a Champions League berth, while Scudetto-chasing Napoli may well have a new head coach in the summer.

Juve have Igor Tudor installed on a nine game short-term contract, although he could be appointed on a permanent basis for the 2025/26 campaign.

Atalanta’s Gian Piero Gasperini and Napoli’s Antonio Conte could both be tempted to rip up their respective contracts if they are offered the Juventus hot seat.

There are five Premier League clubs who have expressed a serious interest in Sudakov. Arsenal and Liverpool can offer Champions League soccer, while Brentford and West Ham United cannot so appear to be out of the reckoning to sign Sudakov.

Tottenham Hotspur would be back in the Champions League should they clinch the Europa League, having made it to the semi-final stage where they will tackle Norwegian side FK Bodo/Glimt. However, current manager Ange Postecoglou is expected to be given the boot at the end of the season.

Sudakov will only make a move to a top tier team when he knows who the manager will be for next season, leaving Juventus, Napoli and Spurs to sort out their chief before a bid can be taken seriously.