Royal Antwerp are being linked with a move for Burkina Faso centre-forward Lassina Traoré from Shakhtar Donetsk.
The 25-year-old, valued at €3.00m on Transfermarkt, is the subject of fresh speculation over his future, with Belgian champions Antwerp reportedly exploring a deal as uncertainty grows around his situation in Ukraine. The rumour, logged on 4 March 2026 with no clear probability attached, suggests Antwerp are monitoring the forward closely ahead of the summer window.
Traoré’s contract details at Shakhtar are unclear, with no expiry date listed, raising the prospect that he could become available as a free agent if his deal is winding down or has already expired. Such a scenario would make the former Ajax striker an appealing, lower-risk option for Antwerp as they look to bolster their attacking options for future Jupiler Pro League and European campaigns.
The Burkinabe international joined Shakhtar from Ajax in July 2021, having previously progressed through Ajax Cape Town’s youth ranks and Rahimo FC in his homeland. His market value peaked at €9m during his early Shakhtar spell in 2021-22 but has gradually declined to €3m by December 2025, reflecting a combination of injuries, form and the disruption of Ukrainian football.
A right-footed centre-forward standing at 1.83m, Traoré built his reputation as a physically robust attacker with Ajax Amsterdam and their U21 side between 2019 and 2021, earning a move to Shakhtar where he featured in the Ukrainian Premier Liga and European competition. Most recently, he continued to feature in Shakhtar’s domestic campaign, including a league outing in early 2026, though detailed statistics from that match are not specified in the data provided.
Born in Bobo-Dioulasso on 12 January 2001, Traoré remains at an age where a switch to Belgium could relaunch his trajectory. Should the Antwerp move materialise, whether via transfer fee or as a free agent, it could mark a pivotal next step in reviving his market value and re-establishing him as a prominent African striker in European football.
