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AC Milan great Shevchenko urges club to sign Yarmolenko

Valentyn Ogirenko / Reuters

AC Milan and Ukraine legend Andriy Shevchenko has recommended that the underperforming Italian giant looks into signing his compatriot Andriy Yarmolenko this summer.

The Dynamo Kyiv winger has long been linked with a transfer to the Premier League, but hopes of certain clubs were dashed by Kyiv president Ihor Surkis last month, after he dismissed that his player was moving to supposed subordinates like Everton or Stoke City.

Related: Dynamo Kyiv refuses to sell Yarmolenko to Everton or Stoke

Fewer words are held in as high esteem at AC Milan than those from Shevchenko's mouth, due to the former forward banging in 127 goals for the Rossoneri over two tours of duty.

"In Ukraine we have Yarmolenko, whom I like a lot," Shevchenko told the Milan Channel in an interview, according to ESPN FC's Selene Scarsi.

"He plays wide on the right but he can also play on the left and he will become a good player. I would point Milan to him."

Milan bench boss Crisitian Brocchi is likely to seek improved attacking options in the summer, especially if reports are to believed about West Ham United's efforts to prize Carlos Bacca from the San Siro.

Despite an inconsistent first season in Italy, Bacca still managed 18 goals in 36 Serie A starts, earning the backing of Shevchenko.

"It is difficult to make a judgement on a player coming off a tough season for the team but he started well, and then there was a change in coach," he continued, referring to the controversial dismissal of Sinisa Mihajlovic in April.

Yarmolenko is likely to assume an important role for Ukraine at Euro 2016, with its tournament opener coming against Germany on June 12.

Bacca, meanwhile, will represent Colombia at the Copa America Centenario, with Los Cafeteros kicking off against the United States on Friday.

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