Turkish media outlet Fotomac have claimed that Fenerbahce are eyeing a January swoop for West Ham man Andriy Yarmolenko.
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Hammers insiders Claret and Hugh have rubbished the report, however, claiming it’s ‘not gonna happen’.
The 31-year-old moved to the London Stadium from Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2018 for around £17.5 million (Evening Standard).
He has failed to hit the heights that were expected of him with West Ham, however.
The former Dortmund forward has racked up nine goals and five assists in 41 games for the Hammers (Transfermarkt).
That isn’t to say that Yarmolenko has been totally ineffective. The 91-capped Ukraine international has made a difference in certain games. He just hasn’t done it on a consistent enough basis.
And he could be on his way out of the London Stadium, according to reports in Turkey.
In a strange twist of fate, the report from Fotomac claims that Yarmolenko is wanted at Fenerbahce to replace former West Ham striker Enner Valencia.
Hammers insiders Claret and Hugh poured cold water on the claims, however. They suggest that Yarmolenko will not be going anywhere in January because he is an ‘essential squad member’.
Selling Yarmolenko would make absolutely no sense in January, unless we have a replacement already lined up of course.
The Ukrainian does earn £115k-a-week (Spotrac), so getting him off the wage bill at some point in the near future would be a wise move from the Hammers.
January is not the time for that, however. If Jarrod Bowen suffers an injury, Yarmo could be an important player for West Ham this season.
If he is to have a future with the Hammers, however, he is going to need to start producing the goods more consistently between now and May.
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