Everton reportedly sent scouts to watch Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk play for Ukraine ahead of the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Bid rejected

Former player and Shakhtar sporting director Darijo Srna confirmed that the Goodison Park outfit had a bid of €30m (£26.4m) rejected by the Ukrainian club in the summer.

Now, it looks as if they could try their luck again in January, after sending scouts to watch him in action on international duty.

The Latest: Scouts sent

Writing in his latest piece for 90min, transfer expert Graeme Bailey has revealed that scouts from the Merseyside club were in attendance to watch Mudryk in action for Ukraine in their 3-0 defeat away to Scotland in the UEFA Nations League on Wednesday night.

However, other Premier League scouts were also at the game, including from Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, Leeds United, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Wolves, Arsenal and Chelsea.

The Verdict: Look elsewhere

It is very likely that Mudryk's value would have increased significantly since the transfer window closed, and so Frank Lampard's side are unlikely to be able to afford him in January.

They face competition from teams who can offer him European football, which he will be more inclined to accept after a red-hot start to his first proper campaign on the continental stage.

Hailed as an ‘absolutely unreal‘ talent by football presenter and pundit Jack Collins, Mudryk has five goal contributions in five matches already this season, including four in the UEFA Champions League (Transfermarkt), and so it would be a real shame to miss out on his signing.