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‘Why not?’ – Agent fuels exit rumours for West Ham star with familiar connection

Andriy Yarmolenko West Ham

The agent of Andriy Yarmolenko has confirmed that the West Ham attacker has plenty of suitors and addressed one of them specifically.

Yarmolenko is in the final year of his contract with West Ham, where he has had mixed success. Injury issues have prevented him from building up consistency. All eight of his appearances in the Premier League so far this season have been as a substitute.

He has had more chances in the Europa League, a competition that has given him his only goal of 2021-22. But his long-term future at the London Stadium remains in doubt.

There were recently reports of Trabzonspor wanting to take Yarmolenko to Turkey in January. The Super Lig side want a new winger and think they could get the 32-year-old on the cheap.

The rumours followed comments from the president of Dynamo Kyiv, effectively presenting him with the chance to return to his home country to end his career.

But now a new option for Yarmolenko may be emerging. He has been linked with a switch to Serie A to join Genoa.

Former Ukraine manager Andriy Shevchenko recently took charge of Genoa. Therefore, they could reunite at club level after their connection within their national team.

Speaking to Tribuna, Yarmolenko’s agent Vadim Shabliy has denied any contact with other clubs, but suggested Genoa would be a good destination for the West Ham forward.

“At the moment these are rumours; no one has contacted either the club or us,” Shabliy said.

West Ham keen on transfer for Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car

West Ham keen on transfer for Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car

West Ham are interested in a transfer for Marseille centre-back Duje Caleta-Car

“In the Italian championship, Andriy will be able to stay at his level for three or four years. He has known Shevchenko for a long time, knows his requirements. Why not?

“Of course, many clubs are interested in him. There is nothing from West Ham, they have a contract until the summer. We are waiting for the development of events.

“There is a lot of interest in him.”

Yarmolenko has only managed to make 68 appearances for West Ham since joining them in 2018. He has contributed 11 goals and seven assists in that time.

Moyes concerned about West Ham attack

David Moyes applauding after West Ham game

Yarmolenko is one of a few options West Ham have available to them in attack, although he is not a natural striker.

Usually operating as a winger instead, he still has to share some of the goalscoring burden that falls heavily on Michail Antonio.

West Ham have been looking to strengthen up front throughout the year without success. Their form has been fine and they are still in the top four, but manager David Moyes recently admitted there are some concerns about their form in attack.

Asked about attacking concerns after their defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, Moyes said: “Yes I am and I have told them we need them to be better in that area.

“I think we’ve had opportunities and I think when you get to the top end if you want to be at the top you have to have forward players who individually can beat people and can create goals and can make goals, can be clean with the chances and I don’t think we have been in recent games.

“I think I can even go back to Europe. We won in Europe in midweek but I still thought in our attacking play we could have been much cleaner with our chances.”

Only time will tell how West Ham address those issues and whether Yarmolenko will be part of the solution.

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