Journalist: "Shakhtar did not consider Pikhalenka, but as soon as Akhmetov learnt that he could move to Dynamo - everything chan

Journalist and commentator Viktor Vatsko spoke about the possible transfer of Dnipro 1 midfielder Oleksandr Pikhalenok to Dynamo or Shakhtar.

"As far as I know, Dynamo Kyiv were now very interested in acquiring Oleksandr Pikhalenok. Dnipro 1 have financial problems, Dnipro 1 really need money, so Dnipro 1 are forced to sell off their leading players.

We are not talking about 10, 15, 150 million for Pihalenka. The sum of 2.5 million was mentioned. I do not know whether it was dollars or euros. It doesn't matter. 2.5 million in some hard currency. But. Pikhalenok once moved to Dnipro-1 from Shakhtar and in the agreement between the clubs there was a clause that in case of a transfer offer for Pikhalenok, which would suit Dnipro-1, Dnipro should inform Shakhtar. And if Shakhtar are ready to repeat the offer, then it is Shakhtar who will have the right of "first night" for the player's transfer.

"Shakhtar did not consider Pikhalenok as an option. In principle, they have enough players in the centre of the pitch. Sudakov, Bondarenko, Kryskiv, Marlon Gomez, Pedrinho. Therefore, I would not say that the centre midfielder is a critical position. Pihalenka has not been considered by Shakhtar.

But according to my WhatsApp, as soon as Akhmetov learnt that Pikhalenok could move to Dynamo, the situation changed dramatically and Sasha became dramatically needed by Shakhtar," Vatsko said.