Liverpool Transfer News: Reds target will 'DEFINITELY' move this summer

Liverpool have been handed an enormous boost in their pursuit of Ukrainian wonderkid Georgiy Sudakov after Shakhtar Donetsk's CEO has admitted he will 'definitely move' this summer. 

The Reds have been frequently linked with the 21-year-old in recent months and are one of a number of top European sides interested in signing the exciting talent.

The attacking midfielder impressed in this season's Champions League with Shakhtar and has seven goals and three assists in 29 appearances this term.

As a result of some promising displays, Sudakov has been the subject of plenty of transfer interest already, with Shakhtar turning down approaches for the youngster in January.

However, they will cash in on Sudakov in the summer window, at least according to Shakhtar's CEO Sergei Palkin.

LIVERPOOL HANDED MAJOR SUDAKOV BOOST

Speaking with The Standard, Palkin confessed to turning down lucrative bids for Sudakov earlier this season, but has accepted that the prodigy will be on his way to an elite European club this summer.

"We have had some contacts with big clubs and some are not negotiating with us directly but are getting a feel for the summer environment," said Palkin.

"He will definitely move to a top European club this summer. When I was at Chelsea versus Everton on Monday, many people asked me about Sudakov.

"I told Napoli in January they could have him for €50m plus bonuses, and they offered €40m, but I said to them to close the deal now or lose this unique chance.

"Now, it will not be €50m. They would have no chance to do that now because we have many more clubs looking. The most interest will come from English clubs. For me, he will become one of the best midfielders in Europe and the world.

"We don’t want clubs to seek discounts because we are at war. An example was for [Mykhailo] Mudryk. We are quite strong."

Chelsea ended up spending £88.5m on Mudryk in January 2023 and Palkin will evidently be looking to receive a similar sum for young Sudakov.

Whether Liverpool would be willing to splash such a sum on an untested talent remains to be seen, but Mudryk's struggles at Chelsea serve as warning to such a deal.

Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes will have the final say on a transfer, in conjunction with Jurgen Klopp's successor, but it appears England may be Sudakov's most likely destination.

The likes of Chelsea and Arsenal have already been linked with the 14-cap Ukraine international.