Shakhtar Donetsk players in discussions over cancelling their contracts at the club

Shakhtar Donetsk players are in discussions over having their contracts annulled at the club, allowing them to become free agents.

FIFA announced this week that contracts for foreign players and coaches in Ukraine and Russia would be suspended allowing them to leave on loan as long as they register with a new club by April 7.

However, players union FIFPRO branded the decision ‘too timid’ and called for players to be allowed to terminate their contracts instead.

Shakhtar have 12 Brazilian players on their squad list and a number of them are now exploring the possibility of cancelling their deals.

The prospect of league football returning to Ukraine in the near future looks remote and emboldened by FIFPRO’s call, it is understood the likes of highly-rated 23-year-old right-back Dodo and 22-year-old midfielder Tete are among those looking to leave. Wolves and Everton have also been asked about taking £15million-rated winger Pedrinho.

FIFA’s statement earlier this week read: ‘In order to provide players and coaches with the opportunity to work and receive a salary, and to protect Ukrainian clubs, unless the parties to the relevant contract explicitly agree otherwise, all employment contracts of foreign players and coaches with clubs affiliated to the Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) will be deemed automatically suspended until the end of the season in Ukraine (30 June 2022), without the need for any action from the parties to this effect.

Dodo pictured embracing a relative after arriving back in Brazil from Ukraine following Russia’s invasion

‘The suspension of a contract as per the paragraphs above will mean that players and coaches will be considered “out of contract” until 30 June 2022 and will therefore be at liberty to sign a contract with another club without facing consequences of any kind.

‘In order for this exception to be applicable and to protect the integrity of competitions, the registration with the new club needs to occur before or on April 7, 2022.

‘To further protect the integrity of competitions, clubs are entitled to register a maximum of two players who have benefited from the exception.’

Everton midfielder Jean Philippe Gbamin could also cut short his loan spell with CSKA Moscow as a result. The 26-year-old only joined at the end of February and has played three games so far. However, with increasing unease about foreigners in Russia, he would be permitted to make another loan move with Jose Mourinho’s Roma among those considered to be interested.

Wolves and Everton have been asked about taking £15m-rated winger Pedrinho

Everton midfielder Jean Phillipe Gbamin could look to end his loan at CSKA Moscow early

One Premier League director of football told Sportsmail: ‘It’s an unusual situation which everyone is talking about. While FIFA have opened the door to this the question is being asked about whether the Premier League will allow it.

‘Letting them join clubs here surely gives certain clubs an unfair advantage. Some Premier League teams have already filled their squads based on our set January deadlines, to change the rules now could bring the league’s integrity under scrutiny.

‘It would make more sense for certain players to go back to Brazil or to be set free until summer when it’s a more even playing field plus we would have a better idea of what is happening in Ukraine.’

There are 29 Brazilians currently under contract at Ukraine’s Premier Liga clubs. In Russia, Krasnodar, where Daniel Farke left his role as coach, have already released all eight of their foreign players.