{
  "id": 8397925,
  "title": "Shakhtar rejected €20 million bid for Mykola Matviyenko, Srna says",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/19/shakhtar-rejected-20-million-bid-for-mykola-matviyenko-srna-says",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-19T06:33:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/life/brighton-offered-20-million-for-shakhtar-defender-matviyenko-srna-reveals-50642767.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In January 2023, Brighton made a £20 million offer for Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko, but the Ukrainian club declined the deal. Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna disclosed the offer, which came from then-coach Roberto De Zerbi. Srna emphasized that Matviyenko was crucial to the team, serving as captain and a Ukrainian representative. The club's imminent Champions League match, only 10-12 days away, and the challenge of finding an adequate replacement, made the rejection a necessity. Additionally, it was difficult to sign even Ukrainian players during that period. Matviyenko, a product of Shakhtar's academy, has made 283 appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals and providing 16 assists. Shakhtar recently advanced to the round of 16 in the Ukrainian Cup, facing archrivals Dynamo Kyiv next.",
  "summary": "Brighton offered €20 million ($23.5 million) for Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matviyenko in January 2023, but the Ukrainian club rejected the deal, Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna has revealed.",
  "key_points": [
    "Brighton offered £20 million for Mykola Matviyenko in January 2023.",
    "Shakhtar rejected the bid, citing Matviyenko's importance to the team.",
    "The defender has 283 appearances, 16 goals, and 16 assists for Shakhtar."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Shakhtar's rejection of Brighton's bid for Mykola Matviyenko indicates the club's reliance on him as a key player and the difficulty of finding a suitable replacement at short notice.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}