Yarmolenko still open to Premier League transfer

If you thought that Andriy Yarmolenko signing a five year contract extension last week with Dynamo Kiev was the end of the transfer speculation around the midfielder, think again.

The star is still commanding plenty of attention around the Premier League, with reports saying that Chelsea's embattled manager Jose Mourinho scouted the player during the international break as he featured for Ukraine against Spain. Then there was the whole hubbub on social media as the player's agent Vadim Shabliy posted a picture of himself at Goodison Park and inside sources claimed that Shabliy had conversations with manager Roberto Martinez during that visit.

Now it appears that Yarmolenko is indeed still interested in moving to the Premier League, and that signing an extension was his way of ensuring that Kiev are protected instead of the player leaving for nothing at the end of the season when his original contract was up.

In his own words -

"I still want that [to test myself in the best foreign leagues]. I know that if Dynamo get really worthy offers we'll find an option that satisfies everyone.

"I want the club to get good compensation for me. I could have left for free in a while, but that would have been wrong.

"I am 100 per cent a Dynamo player. Our team is like my second family. That's why I keep doing my best to benefit the club."

Kiev owner Igor Surkis had said at the close of the summer transfer window that he would be open to selling Yarmolenko in January should his club be out of contention for progressing in the Champions League in January.

Dynamo are currently second in Group G with five points, two behind leaders Porto and one ahead of Chelsea with three games played. In their 0-0 draw against Chelsea yesterday, Yarmolenko had an excellent game. Full of direct running and aggression, the Ukrainian gave César Azpilicueta — one of the better left backs in the Premier League — a torrid time all game long.

It does look like Everton missed their chance to sign Yarmolenko in summer, and there will be deeper pockets than Bill Kenwright's in the reckoning for the player in January.