West Ham United have been offered the chance to sign Shakhtar Donetsk defender Mykola Matvienko this month, according to reports.

The Lowdown: Brighton hold talks

The Ukrainian’s contract with Igor Jovicevic’s side isn’t set to expire until June 2025, but following an impressive first half of the 2022/23 season, he has been attracting plenty of attention.

Premier League rivals Brighton have already met with the 26-year-old in London this week to hold talks over a potential move, but having now seen more than one offer rejected, he is being presented to several other top-flight clubs, including the Irons.

The Latest: Hammers offered Matvienko

According to 90min, West Ham, Leicester and Brentford have all ‘been offered the chance to sign’ Matvienko, with ‘interest’ also emerging from unnamed sides in Germany and Italy.

Shakhtar are standing firm in their negotiations with the Seagulls and are ‘demanding’ a fee of at least €25m (£22m) to let him go, but it remains to be seen whether this is a deal that would be of interest at the London Stadium.

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The Verdict: Dawson replacement?

Craig Dawson has recently left the club to join Wolves, meaning that the Irons are in need of a central defensive replacement, and Matvienko would be the perfect candidate.

The Saky native currently ranks in the 99th percentile for blocks and 98th percentile for clearances, as per FBRef's centre-back metrics, actually ranking above Dawson in both categories, impressive given the latter's reputation as an out-an-out defender.

He would also bring plenty of versatility with the ability to operate at full-back alongside at the heart of the backline, meaning he could still be a valuable squad member even if he doesn't cement himself as a starting centre-back immediately.

Matvienko already has 54 senior international caps for Ukraine, showing his level of experience, so hijacking a move for him during the final week of the window would be a smart bit of business.