Andriy Shevchenko insists that Genoa will not be signing Andriy Yarmolenko from Premier League outfit West Ham United in the January transfer window, speaking to Tribuna.
That is not to say Shevchenko doesn’t want Yarmolenko.
The pair enjoy an excellent relationship following their time together with the Ukrainian national team after all. And, just last summer, Yarmolenko scored one of the finest goals at the European Championships with a trademark long-range curler against the Netherlands.
And with the former Borussia Dortmund winger frustrated with life at West Ham, he would surely relish the prospect of a reunion with his former boss in Italy.
Yarmolenko has played just 52 minutes of Premier League football this season.
But, as Shevchenko points out, those pesky Serie A regulations have made a potential deal for Yarmolenko pretty much a non-starter.
Is Andriy Yarmolenko stuck at West Ham United?
“(Transfer plans) will be done by the sporting director. Now the club is looking, choosing (targets),” says the former Chelsea and AC Milan striker, who was hired by Genoa in early November.
“I’m busy with the team, we have a lot of games now. And I have already said that two places of players without EU passports are taken. We cannot accept players without a European passport.”
When pressed further on Yarmolenko, Shevchenko added; “I answered your question. We have no opportunity (to sign him).”
It is understood that Yarmolenko, who cost West Ham a cool £17 million and earns £115,000-a-week at the London Stadium, does not have an EU passport.
This means Genoa would have to move one player out in order to bring the 32-year-old to Liguria.
“In the Italian championship, Andrei will be able to stay at his level for three or four years,” explained Vadim Shabliy. “Why not (make a move)?
“Of course, many clubs are interested in him.”
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