Noel Whelan

Fri 16 July 2021 7:48, UK

Noel Whelan has urged West Ham to block the “excellent” Andriy Yarmolenko from leaving this summer.

The former Leeds United striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 31-year-old would be a valuable asset in the Europa League next season.

Turkish publication Sabah report (July 10th) claim Yarmolenko is a target for Fenerbahce and that West Ham are likely to green light a move.

The 31-year-old only has one year left on his contract at the London Stadium.

He was a standout performer for Ukraine at this summer’s European Championships.

Whelan suggested his international performances prove West Ham should keep him on board, especially for their Europa League campaign.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “The thing is he plays out wide. When you look at the tournament that he has had, it’s been pretty good.

“He has been hampered with injuries but if you’re going into Europe, you need this kind of experience.

“To me, the best thing that West Ham can have is a very good, confident Yarmolenko. When you see the ability that he’s brought to that Ukrainian side this tournament, it’d very be very difficult to let him go.

“You know you’re going into the Europa League and you want to improve in the league. He would be one you’d be thinking could be a real handful for teams this season.

“If you keep him in this sort of form and this sort of belief in his ability, I think he’s excellent. He is a leader out there as well. You can see that as captain of the squad.

“It’d be very, very difficult right now to let him go. You know you’ve got a big competition on the horizon.”

Yarmolenko scored two goals and contributed two assists in five appearances at the Euros.

He played 21 times across all competitions for West Ham during the 2020/21 campaign but has been plagued by injuries since signing from Borussia Dortmund for £18million in the summer of 2018.

In other news, £30million-rated attacker told to jump at West Ham move after big transfer update.