FC Porto Sets Sights on Dynamo Kyiv Striker Matviy Ponomarenko

Porto’s Interest in Matviy Ponomarenko

According to Главком: Portuguese football club FC Porto has expressed interest in Dynamo Kyiv striker Matviy Ponomarenko. According to a report from A Bola, as cited by the publication Glavcom, Porto aims to bolster its attacking lineup during the offseason. However, as of now, the Portuguese club has not submitted a formal transfer offer to Dynamo.

Earlier, Dynamo turned down bids for Ponomarenko from Istanbul’s Galatasaray and Borussia Dortmund, both of whom offered €20 million for the forward. The Kyiv club is holding out for a fee in the range of €25–30 million. Last season, the striker appeared in 15 Premier League matches, netting 13 goals and finishing as the tournament’s top scorer. Additionally, in the first half of the campaign, Ponomarenko scored 8 goals in the National U-19 League.

Awards and Achievements

Matviy Ponomarenko was named the best young footballer in the Ukrainian Premier League (UPL) for the 2025/26 season. Notably, the UPL’s young player award was first presented at the end of the 2010/11 campaign. Over the years, past winners have included:

• Yevhen Konoplyanka
• Roman Bezus
• Viktor Tsygankov
• and others

Coaching achievements have also been recognized in the football community. The UPL’s best coach award was first given at the conclusion of the 2008/09 season, with Mircea Lucescu holding the record for most wins, earning the honor seven times.

Elsewhere in Ukrainian football, clubs have undergone changes. Kharkiv-based Metalist 1925 rebranded during the offseason and is now known simply as Kharkiv. Additionally, Dynamo Kyiv clinched the Ukrainian Cup for the 2025/26 season, defeating Chernihiv in the final. In that match, midfielder Buyalsky scored a brace, while winger Yarmolenko added a third goal.

Porto’s interest in Ponomarenko highlights the growing reputation of Ukrainian football on the international stage. Given the forward’s domestic success, Dynamo will likely aim to keep him in the squad to maintain their achievements in national and international competitions. Rejecting offers from other European clubs underscores Ponomarenko’s potential as a key player for Dynamo in upcoming seasons, as well as his importance in the development of young talent in Ukraine.

As Porto looks to strengthen its squad, it's worth noting that Ponomarenko's recent accolade as the best young player in the UPL highlights his rising profile in European football. This achievement not only underscores his talent but also explains the heightened interest from clubs seeking to invest in promising forwards.