Shakhtar Donetsk contact Chelsea for transfer – Personal request from manager

Shakhtar Donetsk are interested in signing of Chelsea winger Robert Kenedy, according to claims from the player’s country.

Brazilian outlet UOL says the Ukrainian side have already been in touch with the Blues to learn about the possibility, as the transfer is a request from manager Roberto De Zerbi.

Kenedy, however, is currently having a loan spell in his home country, featuring for Flamengo since last summer. Now the Rio de Janeiro side are said to be ‘waiting’ for how things will develop.

UOL doesn’t bring any information on Chelsea’s stance in this situation for now, and it’s also not clear if Shakhtar’s intention would be to buy the 25-year-old or have him on a loan deal.

Kenedy has 18 appearances for Flamengo so far, with one goal and one assist. Unlike Manchester United midfielder Andreas Pereira, who’s having a more impactful loan spell at the club and about whom a permanent move is often discussed, the winger’s purchase isn’t even mentioned by the Brazilian media.

UOL points out that the Rio de Janeiro club would need to pay €10m to sign him from Chelsea. That sounds unlikely at this stage, so it’d make sense for the Blues to accept a good deal from Shakhtar Donetsk.