22 Aug 2016 10:45:59
Eds, is there any truth that we are in talks with Barcelona to sign Munir? Also how true are the rumours about Yarmelenko?

{Ed002's Note - Barcelona discussed the sale of Munir El Haddadi with Chelsea in late 2014 and were aware of interest from other sides, but his form and a new contract ended thoughts of a move. However, he is frustrated with so little playing time and his agent is pushing for a move - and Barcelona has a replacement in mind and are now open to a sale. Arsenal and Everton both enquired after a loan last summer and several sides will be interested including Spurs, Sevilla and perhaps Arsenal again.

Dynamo Kyiv managed to persuade Yarmolenko not to move this past summer and managed to get him to sign a new contract. There has been interest over the past year from Roma, Spurs, Stoke, Fiorentina, Everton, Inter and Dortmund. Bayer Leverkusen, Valencia, Napoli and Manchester City all dropped their interest and PSG, who were considering Yarmolenko as a possible option to replace Lavezzi this past summer, seem to have done the same. Yarmolenko has expressed a desire to move to Barcelona or Chelsea - and there has been more than one approach made directly to the Chelsea to gauge their interest. Right now I would discount Barcelona but not Milan or possibly Napoli. Whilst an approach was made to the agent of Yarmolenko by Arsenal in the summer, nothing could be done. He spent the summer screwing everyone around and there is still a lingering view he could do the same again. I don't know if anything can be done by Everton, Arsenal or even Barcelona, but Piero Ausilio was at a game to look again at him earlier in the year - so Inter might still be in the mix, but money will be an issue for them unless they can move players on. Again, interest of Dortmund may remain. So for now everything is up in the air - but interest will begin to drop away if he again drags everything out. A representative of Prostar was doing the rounds in Turkey and England during March and April regarding their charges - particularly two other players. I am not aware of anyone raising anything regarding Yarmolenko, but they may have done. Dynamo Kyiv will look to a very significant fee which could easily remove some of the interested clubs who may not see value for money. Milan remains the most likely to start getting embroiled in to what could be a lengthy negotiation.}

1.) 22 Aug 2016
22 Aug 2016 12:34:10
Thanks ed002. Sounds like Yarmelenko is more hassle than he's worth.

{Ed002's Note - He is a bunch of grief Dave.}

2.) 22 Aug 2016
22 Aug 2016 13:39:24
IMO He cannot be that good otherwise bigger clubs woud have takb a chance with him by now.

Think Munir would be a good signing and also think that Nkoudou would be good if the deal every gets done.

Still think we need a player who can open up defences consistantly.