"Shakhtar to enter the Saudi market

"Shakhtar have started taking steps towards cooperation with a representative of the Saudi Arabian Premier League.

According to Bloomberg, the club's CEO Serhiy Palkin has engaged the Geneva-based consulting firm LTT Sports, which has a branch in Jeddah, to discuss deals with Saudi clubs. These include transfers on favourable terms and the organisation of exhibition matches.

"We are entering this market because we have recognised that Saudi Arabia has a lot of money and will soon host the World Cup. I think we should be involved in the whole process," Palkin commented.

He did not name any specific teams for cooperation, except for Al-Taawwun. The aim is also to establish links between the academies.