Tottenham and Arsenal follow two precocious attacking midfielder talents who are turning heads in the Champions League

North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are firmly in the race to sign Shakhtar Donetsk’s highly-rated midfielder Georgiy Sudakov in 2025.

The Ukraine international is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in European football and is known to be a transfer target for numerous clubs, including a host of Premier League sides.

And while it is notoriously difficult to do business with Shakhtar, both Tottenham and Arsenal are “doing their due diligence” on Sudakov with a view to a future transfer.

Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke reports that the duo are keen to land the 22-year-old, although any potential transfer is expected to be complex.

END he also adds that a move for the playmaker is unlikely to happen in the January transfer window, with interested parties far more likely to land their man next summer.

Sudakov has drawn comparisons with fellow Ukrainian Mykhailo Mudryk, who also caught the eye of Europe’s top clubs after his performances at Shakhtar Donetsk.

While this isn’t exactly a glowing comparison, given Mudryk’s struggles since his move to Stamford Bridge, questions have been raised about whether Sudakov has the physical capabilities to transfer his talents to England.

A hefty transfer fee will also be required to secure a deal for potential suitors, with the player currently under contract until 2028. The report did not mention how much that figure could be, although Sudakov has previously been rated around the £60m (€71m/$78m) mark.

READ MORE ➡️ When does the January 2025 transfer window open? Everything you need to know

Where Sudakov fits in at Tottenham, Arsenal

Sudakov has made a sensational start to the season, with seven goals and two assists in 10 games in all competitions and has also been turning heads with his performances in the Champions League, where he has solid experience for a player still is in its stage. early 20s.

As for where he would fit in at both Tottenham and Arsenal, the Shakhtar star has played the majority of his games in the No.10 role, but can also drop further into midfield.

For Spurs, he would be direct competition for James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski, given the Swede’s new role as a deeper midfielder rather than a winger.

Sudakov has more end product than those two players, with 38 goals in 80 league outings in his homeland, although the fact that the Ukrainian top flight is not as tough as the Premier League should be taken into account in when considering these statistics. .

At Arsenal, Sudakov is seen as a talent similar to Gunners skipper Martin Odegaard, who has been sorely missed since being sidelined with an ankle ligament he suffered on international duty last month.

The Norway star is expected to return to action next month, but his absence has made Mikel Arteta more pragmatic with his normal attacking approach, given how key Odegaard is when weaving through the middle of the pitch to attack The Emirates.

To that end, adding another playing talent to their squad certainly makes sense in the red half of North London to counteract any issues that arise in the future.

Arsenal, Spurs also in Semenyo transfer battle

In other transfer news involving the north London duo, Arsenal are planning a huge double swoop for Bournemouth pair Milos Kerkez and Antoine Semenyo, with interest from the Gunners potentially involving Liverpool, Tottenham and Newcastle United .

according to Caught offsideArsenal rate Kerkez and Semenyo highly and have set their sights on the duo as potential transfer targets for the summer of 2025. They want a new right winger who can provide cover and competition for Bukayo Saka, which is where he comes in Semenyo, while Kerkez is seen as a possible replacement for the likes of Kieran Tierney and Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back.

Arsenal have been hugely impressed by Semenyo’s performances this season as the 24-year-old has been one of Bournemouth’s best players, scoring three goals and assisting one in seven Premier League games.

However, Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the exciting forward, although TEAMtalk understands Newcastle are currently leading the race for Semenyo.

ON FIRE: Sudakov ready to take the next step

Sudakov certainly has many backers in terms of his quality and what he could produce if he takes the next big step and moves to England or another of Europe’s top leagues.

Former Tottenham striker Sergei Rebrov is currently Ukraine and no doubt rates the player highly as his country currently produces some impressive young talent.

Speaking over the summer, Rebrov said ESPN: “These young players have a bright future, I think what Heorhiy (Georgiy) is doing is to bring a lot of energy to the field, he understands football very well, he has spirit. He can play in various positions, which is very important “.

Meanwhile, Shakhtar’s head of development Oskar Ratulutra appears to be selling the player, adding: “He’s an intelligent boy and will adapt to any environment and any style of football. He is ready to take another step and to achieve his dream.”

Strong comments about Ratulutra’s midfield talent in particular, and Sudakov will certainly be a player to keep a close eye on.

DON’T MISS OUT ➡️ Ranking of Premier League clubs according to their net transfer spend in 2024: Man Utd in top four, Liverpool in 16th…