Long term Everton target Andriy Yarmolenko has admitted he would rather join Everton and play twice a week than join Barcelona and not play, according to reports.
The Ukranian star has been linked with the Blues for the past two transfer windows and was subject to interest from the Merseyside club over the winter period with the option of transferring to the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Everton, Dynamo Kiev the were reluctant to let the player leave due to their involvement in the Champions League, in which they face Manchester City this month. The player has been the spearhead of what is an impressive European run and the club were not willing to let their star man leave while still involved in the competition.
It remains to be seen whether the club and the player will budge in the summer but Yarmolenko’s recent comments about Everton will certainly give the club and its fans some confidence in the pursuit of the 26-year-old. He said:
It is better to play at Everton.
Of course you can go to Barcelona, make a cool selfie with (Lionel) Messi, put the images on Instagram and get a million likes and be pleased with yourself.
But I’m not one of those. For me it is important to play matches. If I do not play twice a week, I have nowhere to throw out the emotions and energy.
My family will go mad. If I play, the next day I am all calm and smile. If I missed the game and lay in the house, I immediately run into a quarrel.
The Ukrainian international also revealed that he was learning English, though moved quickly to deny any tie with his professional career. He explained:
Until recently, I studied English. But in September, my second son was born and I lost time. But (I plan to) return to the course. I am learning a language for themselves, rather than as a preparation for the championship of England. I often go abroad and I want to speak normally.
Everton face Stoke City at the Brittania in their next game in which Evertonians may get a first glance at their new signing Oumar Niasse.
