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Andriy Yarmolenko has reportedly told a Ukrainian news outlet that he’d rather transfer to Everton than Barcelona.

The playmaker from Dynamo Kyiv was a summer target for the Toffees and made the claim during an interview with Ukrainian news outlet Futbol, according to Goal, saying he would rather play twice a week at Goodison Park than sit on the bench at Camp Nou.

“It is better to play at Everton”, the 26-year-old said.

“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.”

Yarmolenko went on to say it’s important for him to play matches, stating that if he doesn’t play twice a week, he doesn’t have a venue to throw out his emotions and energy. He also believes his family would go mad, immediately running into a quarrel if he has missed a match.

“If I play, the next day I am all calm and smile. If not…”

Everton tried to sign Yarmolenko last summer, but found negotiations with Dynamo Kyiv difficult and failed in their pursuit, despite being willing to meet the player’s £14.5m buy-out clause.

The Toffees continued to follow the player’s progress, as he provided eight goals and five assists in 15 league games this season, and held talks with the player’s agent back in December.

However, according to several sports news outlets, including German Bild, Arsenal have agreed a £22.8 million deal with the Ukraine gaints for Yarmolenko.

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