Report: Liverpool Now Have Strong Interest in 27-goal Playmaker Who Could Replace Szoboszlai
Liverpool are reportedly entering the competition to sign Georgiy Sudakov, a target for both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
The Shakhtar Donetsk star has attracted interest from top European clubs, but securing his services will require a transfer fee exceeding £50 million for the highly-rated Eastern European talent.
Sudakov made a memorable debut in October 2020, helping his team secure a surprising away victory over Real Madrid. Since then, he has become a key player for Shakhtar, racking up 112 appearances, scoring 27 goals, and providing 20 assists.
The young player’s impressive performances have caught the attention of several Premier League clubs. Liverpool are now reportedly in the mix, alongside Arsenal, Tottenham, and other top teams, as they all vie to sign Sudakov.
Liverpool in Competition for Georgiy Sudakov
According to a report from CaughtOffside, Liverpool are one of several clubs keen on signing the young Ukrainian talent, though they will face competition from other English teams.
Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United have all been monitoring the player, whose performances at Shakhtar Donetsk have drawn comparisons to Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk, who was regarded as a rising star during his time at the Ukrainian club.
| Georgiy Sudakov’s Shakhtar Donetsk statistics – season by season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Season | Appearances | Output |
| 2020-21 | 10 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | 10 | 4 |
| 2022-23 | 29 | 5 |
| 2023-24 | 23 | 6 |
| 2024-25 | 8 | 7 |
CaughtOffside reports that sources close to the player claim both Liverpool and Arsenal sent scouts to observe the Ukraine international during Shakhtar Donetsk’s matches against LNZ Cherkasy and Veres Rivne.
Sudakov scored a goal in the game against Veres Rivne and delivered a standout performance against LNZ Cherkasy, scoring four goals and providing an assist in a 5-1 victory at home.
The 22-year-old, labeled as a “top talent,” made a strong impression, prompting Liverpool to consider advancing their pursuit of the player.
However, securing his services will not be cheap, as Shakhtar is expected to demand around €65 million (£54 million) for his transfer. This price is influenced by their previous sale of Mudryk to Chelsea for a higher fee.
Liverpool reportedly attempted, but failed, to sign Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad during the summer. Sudakov could now be seen as a younger alternative to strengthen their midfield options.
Sudakov Would Need Time at Liverpool
Sudakov has continued to improve consistently over the past few seasons. With 17 Champions League appearances, he has elevated his game this season, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in eight games, helping Shakhtar to secure fourth place. It’s uncertain where the team would be without his contributions.
Shakhtar has dominated the league, winning six of the last seven seasons. The only exception was their first-place finish in the 2021-22 Ukrainian Premier League, which was cut short due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
As the joint-top goalscorer in the league, Sudakov will be key to Shakhtar’s continued success. While a significant transfer fee of £54 million could see him move to the Premier League, clubs like Liverpool may consider this deal in the summer.
However, where he fits into a Premier League squad remains to be seen. With Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister securing central midfield roles, and Dominik Szoboszlai showing inconsistent form in Sudakov’s preferred attacking midfield position, there’s a possibility Sudakov could challenge Szoboszlai for that spot if he makes a strong start at Anfield.
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