Chelsea ramp up interest in Shakhtar midfielder Georgiy Sudakov | OneFootball

Chelsea are preparing a summer swoop for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov, according to the Daily Mail.

The Blues have reignited their pursuit of Ukrainian talent after signing Mykhailo Mudryk last year.

The 21-year-old notched five goals and two assists in 22 appearances in the Ukrainian Premier League this season.

Sudakov has attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool.

Italian clubs are also circling, but Chelsea are taking the most concrete steps. They’ve reportedly held discussions with Sudakov’s representatives to gauge a potential transfer fee.

Intriguingly, Shakhtar Chief Executive Officer Sergei Palkin was recently a guest at Stamford Bridge. He watched Chelsea’s dominant 6-0 victory over Everton.

Speaking to the media afterwards, Palkin hinted at a busy summer for Sudakov.

“This window, he has a high chance of joining a big club,” he said. “We’ve had contacts, some direct, some gauging the market.”

Sudakov’s close friendship with Mudryk could play a role. Mudryk joined Chelsea last year for £62 million and has reportedly been struggling to settle in London. He frequently advises Sudakov to join him in England.

Despite Sudakov recently signing a contract extension until 2028 with a hefty £125 million release clause, Shakhtar are open to ‘sensible offers’ for the promising talent.

Chelsea see Sudakov as a first-team option, considering his experience in the Champions League and Europa League.

Competition for Sudakov’s signature is inevitable, but Chelsea are well-positioned to bring him to Stamford Bridge.

They boast a positive relationship with Shakhtar, built during the Mudryk transfer, and have already opened talks with Sudakov’s representatives.

Sudakov is a promising young talent, but Chelsea should prioritise signing experienced players to get back to competing for the Premier League and Champions League.

The Ukrainian league may not be the best hunting ground for players who can make an instant impact in the Premier League.