Andriy Yarmolenko’s West Ham United contract expires in the summer and, according to Fanatik, Trabzonspor have been made aware of the Premier League winger’s availability.
In truth, the fact Yarmolenko appears to have emerged as David Moyes’ third-choice centre-forward – behind Michail Antonio and Jarrod Bowen – says more about West Ham’s lack of striking options than it does the Ukrainian’s suitability in the number nine role.
The former Borussia Dortmund ace has made 13 appearances for the Hammers this season, through the middle or in his favoured right-wing role.
Look a little closer, however, and it’s clear Yarmolenko is little more than an expensive back-up as far as Moyes is concerned. The Ukraine legend has made seven Premier League appearances but all have come from the bench – averaging just four minutes per game.
With that in mind, it seems unlikely West Ham would be willing to extend a £115,000-a-week contract due to expire in July.
According to Spotrac, Yarmolenko is the club’s second highest-paid player, behind only France international centre-half Kurt Zouma.
Is Yarmolenko leaving West Ham for Trabzonspor?
According to Fanatik, Yarmolenko has been offered to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor via his representatives.
Trabzonspor are currently flying high, seven points clear at the top of the Super Lig. However, they recently lost veteran winger Gervinho to a cruciate ligament injury, which looks set to rule him out for the rest of the season.
It remains to be seen whether West Ham would let Yarmolenko leave in January, however, given the club is fighting on multiple fronts – Moyes’ thin squad strained by Europa League commitments. It would make little sense to cash in on Yarmolenko midway through the campaign, especially when he would probably leave for a cut-price fee..
The Athletic reported after Euro 2020 that Yarmolenko was unhappy with his peripheral role at the London Stadium, although his agent ruled out a switch to Russia at the time.
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