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West Ham United: ExWHUemployee discusses Andriy Yarmolenko’s contract situation

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Noted West Ham United insider ExWHUemployee has given his thoughts on what he would do with Andriy Yarmolenko given his current contract situation.

The Ukrainian forward is entering a very difficult stage of his time at the London Stadium as he is currently into the final few months of his contract, and according to recent claims, he isn’t set to be offered a new one.

This is despite him chipping in with three goals and three assists this season, which includes the winner in their recent Europa League tie with Sevilla.

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Speaking during a Q&A special of the West Ham Way podcast following a question about what could happen to him come the end of the season, Ex claimed that if he did well during the rest of the campaign, he would be inclined to offer an extension, but that he wouldn’t give him a pay raise, mainly because that might cause some problems between some other members of the squad:

“I still don’t think for the same money, I think if he got 10 goals, then I would be tempted to offer a lot more. But when you think about it, if you’re giving him the same money as he’s on now, that means you’re giving him more than Declan Rice, you’re giving him more than [Kurt] Zouma because he’s the highest-paid player, you’re giving him more than [Michail] Antonio, who would have scored more this season in total.

“I wouldn’t give him the same amount. But if he obviously scored 10 goals, hypothetically, and was like sensational for the remainder of the season, then yeah, I would consider more than 20, 30 grand, but I would still want him to reduce a little bit. Because otherwise, I think if he does that, and then you give him that contract again, it doesn’t send out the best message to players that are earning less than him. And then all of a sudden, you’d have 2, 3, 4 players maybe wanting more, and then you get yourself into a bit of a situation then.”

TIF Thoughts on ExWHUEmployee’s comments about Andriy Yarmolenko at West Ham United…

Would you extend Yarmolenko's contract?

Yes

Yes

No

No

Ex’s logic does make sense, because it doesn’t seem right for someone like Yarmolenko to be seen as the highest-paid player at the club when there are players who are contributing far more than him in terms of goals and assists this year.

And when you consider his age as well at 31, this is the time when he should be winding down his playing time and importance rather than looking to increase it. And as Ex hints at, if they were to offer him a pay raise, then you would imagine a lot of other players would want the same, which could end up costing the Hammers a lot in the long run.

A contract extension does make sense, especially if West Ham are in Europe again next season and will need the squad depth, but to offer him more money on a weekly basis does not.

In other news: Could be curtains for £24.3m-rated ace at WHUFC as journalist reveals Moyes target – opinion

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Freelance sports journalist & broadcaster.