Arsenal to offer £25m in cash up front to beat Everton to international winger

ARSENAL are prepared to pay £25million up front to beat Everton to Andriy Yarmolenko's signature this month, according to reports.

 

Andriy Yarmolenko could be heading to the Emirates this winter

 

The Gunners have already landed £5m defensive midfielder Mohamed Elneny this transfer window but also are thought to be seeking attacking recruits.

Dynamo Kiev winger Yarmolenko, 26, has also been linked with a move to Everton.

 

But Italian outlet Tuttomercatoweb claim a deal for the Ukraine international to join Arsenal could be done before deadline day on 1 February.

It is claimed Arsenal are happy to match Kiev's demands, which could trump Everton.

 

The Toffees recently cashed in on striker Steven Naismith, who has joined Norwich on an £8.5m deal.

Everton had already put aside £3.7m for the capture of Leeds United defender Sam Byram, but he rejected a move to Merseyside and has instead joined West Ham, and are reportedly keen to spend this January.

 

It was thought manager Roberto Martinez was prepared to offer as much as £21m for Yarmolenko in an effort to force through a late move in this transfer window.

But the Gunners now appear favourites to complete the deal, although The Daily Telegraph claim a late offer from either Borussia Dortmund or Barcelona could still come in.