Scouting Real Madrid Transfer Target Andriy Yarmolenko
Name: Andriy Yarmolenko
Age: 26 (Birth Date: 23 October 1989)
Height: 1.89m/6'2"
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Nationality: Ukrainian
Club: FC Dynamo Kyiv (Ukrainian Premier League)
Position(s): Winger/Forward
Market Value: £17.5 million (via TransferMarkt)
2015/16 Stats: 22 appearances, 13 goals, eight assists
James Rodriguez could be on the move next summer.
Telegraph Sport suggests (secondhand from Spanish journalist Jose Luis Sanchez) the Colombian attacker received interest from Manchester United, hoping to lure the 2014 World Cup star from Real Madrid.
According to Football Espana, Rodriguez "has tested the patience of Los Blancos with his perceived indiscipline." It sites the 24-year-old's delayed return from South America shortly before November's Clasico as a source of rising tension—leading to an ever-sporadic Madrid president Florentino Perez searching for replacements in the event James is allowed to move.
One footballer rumoured to be on Perez's shortlist is Dynamo Kyiv's Andriy Yarmolenko.
Thought to be on Barcelona's transfer wish list as well, the Ukraine international signed a five-year contract extension with Kyiv in October.
Despite the obvious commitment, Yarmolenko told reporters, as documented by the Daily Express's James Cambridge:
"I still want [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 [Kyiv] to get good compensation for me. I could have left for free in a while, but that would have been wrong.
"
Featuring in Dynamo's senior team since 2007, scoring 108 goals in 282 appearances, Yarmolenko has probably outgrown the Ukrainian Premier League.
Seemingly understanding this sentiment, the 26-year-old's ambition to move forward with his career should not prove difficult. Linked with several clubs across Europe, reports marrying him with Real Madrid are particularly flattering.
Manager Rafa Benitez has flirted with Gareth Bale's positioning all season, playing him (whether more by injury elsewhere or tactically) behind the striker, as a striker and his preferred winger role. Selling Rodriguez, or even keeping the Colombian, would make little difference for the linked Ukrainian. His primary competition for places would be Bale, even though the catalyst for his move would appear James.
Hence, Yarmolenko and Los Blancos seems an interesting proposition; he would be moving for the sake of moving, rather than expecting to play consistent minutes.
A strong, left-footed, dynamic winger, Dynamo's talisman has the potential to flourish outside of Ukraine. Arguably his country's best attacking player since Andriy Shevchenko (also of Dynamo Kyiv lore), leaving the UPL and establishing himself elsewhere would appear an ideal career choice.
Gifted in possession, with a striker's finish and a winger's ambition, Yarmolenko's next choice must take all those qualities into account. Would he be better playing in a lesser side, or might the step to possibly the world's largest footballing enterprise dent his trajectory?
As shown by his quotes, Yarmolenko's desire is to give back to Kyiv but also test himself at the highest level.
Levels do not get higher than the Santiago Bernabeu, sharing a dressing room with some of the world's greatest talents, but—with his current club in the UEFA Champions League's round of 16—there is still work to be completed at the Olimpiyskiy, even if only for another five months.
If Rodriguez's Madrid future deteriorates (which is admittedly peculiar and bizarre in nature), there might be cause to expedite Yarmolenko from his comfort zone.
*Stats via WhoScored.com; transfer fees via Soccerbase where not noted.
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