Ukrainian midfielder Shakhtar Taras Stepanenko told about why his transition to the English Crystal Palace was not held.

Crystal Palace did not manage to purchase Shakhtar's midfielder Taras Stepanenko on the final day of the January transfer window.

Channel 1 Football reports that the English club offered for the Ukrainian nine million euros. And although Taras himself was interested in the transfer, the parties could not complete the transition because of the limited time.

"At first there were offers for rent, but they immediately rejected, because it is unacceptable for either Shakhtar or for me," said Stepanenko.

"Then there was a concrete offer of redemption, which yesterday I was engaged all day long. The club very late turned to Shakhtar, and there was practically no time to solve this question. I tried to solve it, my agent was doing it, all showed the maximum professionalism, but did not grow together ".

"It's okay, this is life. Moving on. I play in the superclub, so do not lose heart. Must do everything as a professional ".

At the same time, the 28-year-old midfielder still hopes to play in the top championship.

"It is clear that Shakhtar has great ambitions, but the player must have ambitions. I dream to play in the top championship, to feel the level of top football, and from this dream I do not refuse. Going further, working at the maximum, and, God forbid, everything will turn out. If not - I will stay in Shakhtar. This team is forever in my heart and done a lot for me.

No problem is that I did not leave, there is no ".

Stepanenko moved to Shakhtar from the Zaporozhye Metallurgist in 2010. Since then, he spent 225 matches for the Miners and scored 15 goals.

In the current season on the account of Taras 25 matches for the team of Paulo Fonseca in all tournaments.

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