Everton one of five Premier League clubs working on Matviyenko January deal

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Everton are one of several Premier League clubs interested in signing Mykola Matviyenko.

According to TeamTalk, Everton, Burnley, West Ham United, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace are all keen on securing the services of defender Mykola Matviyenko in the upcoming January transfer window.

Matviyenko is apparently open to leaving Shakhtar Donetsk, and could be tempted by a switch to the Premier League. Everton are actively exploring the possibility of striking a deal for the 27-year-old.

The Toffees could certainly do with bolstering Sean Dyche’s defensive options. They lack quality strength in depth at the back. Despite the recent emergence of Jarrad Branthwaite at Goodison Park, this is still an area of the pitch that the Merseyside club would be wise to strengthen in. 

Matviyenko may well be Everton’s preferred target to come in and add extra quality to their rearguard. However, they could clearly face plenty of competition in their efforts to land Matviyenko. 

Who is Mykola Matviyenko?

Matviyenko has spent his entire career with Shakhtar Donetsk, aside from a couple of brief loan stints away from the club early in his career. He has amassed 169 appearances for the club. He has also represented Ukraine at international level on 57 occasions. 

The defender has the versatility to operate at centre-back and left-back, where he could be utilised by Dyche to make Everton less reliant upon 38-year-old Ashley Young.

Matviyenko would be an interesting signing for Everton to make if they can win the race for his signature and secure his services for a fair price. However, there must be some question marks over whether the player can raise his game sufficiently to meet the standards of the Premier League.

In any case, Everton are clearly already laying the groundwork ahead of the January transfer window.