Blues still tracking Yarmolenko

20/12/2015

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Everton have held fresh talks with Andriy Yarmolenko's agent but there is some doubt over whether they will make a move for him in January.

Vadim Shabliy has been back at Goodison Park in recent weeks to discuss a potential move for the the Ukrainian star but he was also in London talking to some of the Blues' Premier League rivals who could also follow up their interest.

Yarmolenko appeared to be on the verge of signing for Everton in August but Dynamo Kiev owner Igor Surkis pulled out of negotiations and opted to keep his star man for his club's Champions League campaign. He then signed a new contract to ensure that the club received their full valuation rather than lose him for free in the summer of 2016.

The Ukraine international helped Dynamo into the second phase of the competition which was his initial target once the decision was made to keep him.

The player hinted after Kiev's final group game that he could leave in the January transfer window if the right offer was received but manager Sergei Rebrov has indicated that he very much wants Yarmolenko to stay for the rest of the Champions League run.

More good performances in that competition and again for his country in Euro2016 could either introduce too much competition for Everton or push his price – estimated by some Ukrainian observers to already be €30m – up too high.

The Liverpool Echo claim that Roberto Martinez is unlikely to make a move until the end of this season despite chief scout Kevin Reeves going to watch Yarmolenko in action against Maccabi earlier this month.

Sources closer to Ukrainian football are claiming, however, that Everton could open the bidding next month with a €27m offer and are prepared to go as high as €35m to land him, although it's not clear whether that information was gleaned from a report in The Sun.

Update 6 Jan Valencia are rumoured to have made an inquiry about Yarmolenko, adding to the potential competition for him.

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