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Report: Mykola Matviyenko to cost £30m amid Arsenal interest
Arsenal’s hopes of signing Mykola Matviyenko appear to have suffered a setback, that the defender is going to cost £30 million this month.
Sky Sports reports that the Gunners are in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk about a potential move for the centre-back, according to the player’s agent.
Matviyenko reportedly has 18 months left on his contract at Metalist Stadium. But it appears that he will not come cheap if Mikel Arteta hopes to add him to Arsenal’s ranks.
, Shakhtar want £30 million for the 23-year-old this month.
The report notes that Arsenal would prefer to sign the youngster on loan rather than on a permanent basis.
TBR View – Should Arsenal back away?
It does appear unlikely, as things stand, that Arsenal will land Matviyenko. If they are not as keen on a permanent move, they are surely going to have little interest in paying £30 million.
It would be a big boost for the Gunners if they can strengthen their options at the back. They had numerous injuries to deal with, and there are concerns about some of the players still available to Arteta.
Shkodran Mustafi summed up his Arsenal spell quite nicely at Chelsea in midweek. The German – who actually produced a good second-half performance – made a dreadful mistake that led to the opening goal.
Nevertheless, Arsenal should not feel backed into a corner if they have their doubts about Matviyenko.
He may not be the long-term solution, but Granit Xhaka was superb at centre-back on Tuesday. And that may give Arteta a little more encouragement should he contemplate leaving his squad as it is for this window.
A new centre-back would provide a real boost for Arsenal. But they surely cannot afford to spend big on a player they are not entirely convinced by.