Liverpool are the only club who have come close to signing £128m player

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Liverpool look set to have another go at signing one of their targets from last year’s transfer window.

The Reds had a busy summer, eventually brining in four new players. With that quartet of new arrivals, the midfield was completely revamped at Anfield.

However, there were plenty of players who were assessed alongside those additions. One of those was seemingly Shakhtar Donestk midfielder Georgiy Sudakov.

Although Sudakov ended up staying with Shakhtar last year, the 21-year-old now looks set to move on. According to Calciomercato, the Ukrainian side are currently fielding plenty of interest in their star young talent.

However, it’s suggested that amongst interest from the likes of Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Barcelona, Liverpool may have a slight advantage. The Reds are said to have been the only team to have ‘come close’ to signing Sudakov so far.

If they are to bring him in though, it’s going to cost them. Shakhtar have reportedly just raised the youngster’s release clause to a princely £128m. This is claimed to be ‘impossible’ for the likes of Juventus and Napoli to reach, who also struggled to afford last year’s asking price of £43m. Advantage Liverpool, perhaps.

Liverpool retain Sudakov interest

Although it sounds like Liverpool did hold some interest in Sudakov, his new release clause may have just scuppered that.

Of course, just because the player has a high number in his contract, it doesn’t mean he’ll be sold for that amount. We see ridiculous figures all the time. Quite often they are never reached.

But it should also be noted that Shakhtar have form in this regard. Few will have forgotten how they played hardball with Arsenal over Mykhailo Mudryk, before Chelsea swooped in to buy him for £89m.

If they’ve placed that value on Sudakov, then there’s every chance they expect it to be paid in full.

Since his move in January 2023, Mudryk has hardly raised confidence that the next big signing from Shakhtar will be worth that kind of money again.

But in Sudakov’s case, he looks a little bit more of a sure bet. Only 21 and already a 12-cap Ukraine international, the versatile midfielder is a two-footed silky midfielder.

Capable of playing a little further forward, wide, or even deeper, Sudakov can adeptly fill a number of roles.

In contrast to the rather one-paced Mudryk, his profile will appeal to and slot into many different clubs.

Having said that, at present, we’re not completely sure we see a space open for Sudakov in the Liverpool squad. But either way, he’s a player to keep an eye on this summer.