As per one of the latest reports by BBC, West Ham United have made a bid of £17.5million to lure Andriy Yarmolenko to the London Stadium from the ranks of Borussia Dortmund. The Hammers managed to escape from the clutches of the relegation zone last season under David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini was recently appointed as the new manager of the club to better their credentials in the 2018-19 campaign.
The Chilean is keen to beef up the quality of his arsenal and considering that Manuel Lanzini is going to be a long-term absentee, Pellegrini does need to inject noteworthy class, flair and creativity in his side. Yarmolenko moved to Dortmund last summer from the ranks of Dynamo Kyiv for £23million and made 30 appearances for the German outfit across all competitions.
The 28-year-old scored 3 goals and garnered 2 assists in the German Bundesliga and helped his side in securing a fourth-place finish in the German top flight last season. Capable of plying his trade as a winger as well as a central attacking midfielder, he would be a shrewd signing for the Premier League side. His move to Pellegrini’s camp is subject to medical and work permit, as per the report.
Moreover, it has also been reported that Pellegrini is eyeing to secure the signature of Sporting Lisbon’s midfielder Bruno Fernandes. Although the Irons are willing to roll out £20million to prise him out of Estadio Jose Alvalade, the Portuguese side are holding on to a £25million price tag for the 23-year-old and it would be intriguing to see what happens in the coming days.
Apart from West Ham United, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are also believed to have queued up to rope Fernandes into their ranks this summer. The Portuguese international started his senior career with Novara and then, he accumulated successful spells with Udinese and Sampdoria before moving to the ranks of Sporting Lisbon. He is a versatile midfielder who has churned a steady development in his career.
West Ham United are looking to cultivate more creativity in the middle of the park and Fernandes has the potential to be the solution for them. He plundered 11 goals and 8 assists in Liga NOS last season and no wonder why his stocks are so highly rated. Although he is unfamiliar to the English territories, he has the calibre to thrive and if Pellegrini manages to bring Fernandes and Yarmolenko under his command, they can meet the manager’s attacking style of football.
Statistics Credits: WhoScored
