David Ornstein claims Arsenal ‘really like’ Mykola Matviyenko, but a permanent deal at €30m this window was never realistic.

Ornstein claims Arsenal really like Matviyenko as a “ball-playing left centre-back who can also operate at left-back”.

Unfortunately, Shakhtar Donetsk would only allow the move for €30m on a permanent deal. The kind of funds the Gunners were never going to commit this January.

As recently as earlier this week, the Ukrainian media claimed Arsenal had agreed a deal with Shakhtar for Matviyenko. However, they added it wouldn’t necessarily happen, as the Gunners were choosing between that transfer and the loan signing of Pablo Mari.

Perhaps those reports were accurate after all. Maybe Arsenal agreed the deal in principle, then decided they couldn’t commit those kinds of fund in the winter window.

It’s one to keep an eye on for the summer now though. Ornstein’s reference to Matviyenko’s ability to play at left-back is particularly interesting.

Arsenal’s pursuit of Layvin Kurzawa suggests that’s an area they’re looking at, and we all know the problems at centre-back. At €30m, it’s not too unrealistic either.