Andriy Yarmolenko has all but confirmed he will leave West Ham when is contract expires at the end of the season.
THE LOWDOWN: TUMULTUOUS SEASON
Despite the personal trauma of Russia invading his home country, the Ukranian has enjoyed a fruitful couple of months in a Hammers shirt and if it is to be his final swansong it will live long in the memories of Irons fans.
The 32-year-old missed the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie with Sevilla on special leave but returned for the second meeting and fired home the deciding goal as David Moyes’ side knocked out the six-time winners and most successful team in the competition’s history.
However, he has appeared in just six percent of the club’s overall minutes in the Premier League this season and has been restricted to 14 appearances, one fewer than the whole of last season and it looks like his stay in east London will be coming to an end.
THE LATEST: FUTURE LIES ELSEWHERE
Yarmolenko arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2018 for £17.5m and has scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 80 appearances at the London Stadium but he has seemingly accepted that his time in the capital is up.
The £100k-per-week ace revealed in an interview as reported by the Evening Standard:
“I think that 95 per cent, I will leave.”
He continued:
“West Ham have the option of an extension [on my contract] for another year. But no one contacted me about this. I look forward to their decision in the next week or two.
“If not, my agent will deal with the issue of my future employment. We’ll see what the options are.
“Teams from the Turkish Championship and teams, let’s say, from warm countries [are interested]. Saudi Arabia. There are options from Spain and Italy too, but I still think I have not decided. It doesn’t really matter where I end up.
“Before the war, I thought about returning to Dynamo Kiev. Now, no one knows what will happen to the country in general. If there is no championship, then where can I return to?
“If I have to choose between money and a club that gave me everything, I would choose the club.”
THE VERDICT: MAKES WAY FOR A REPLACEMENT
While the 106-cap international surveys his options, his current employers could be plotting his replacement.
Yarmolenko’s departure certainly frees up some huge space on the wage bill and Moyes may look to reinvest in his squad with wingers Lucas Ocampos and Moussa Diaby two high-end targets.
Said Benrahma is the only current natural option on the left wing and the executives at Rush Green may look to bolster their attack with the club looking set for another year of European football.
Compatriot Lionel Messi said that Ocampos’ appearance in the national team was “extraordinary for the good of the group” while the 22-year-old Diaby has scored 21 goals and weighed in with 26 assists in 87 appearances in Germany’s top flight.
Both could be fine investments for the Hammers as they go about replacing the inspiring Ukrainian.
