Kilmarnock have entered advanced negotiations to purchase Exeter City‘s Johnly Yfeko, just days after Matt Taylor admitted sales need to happen in order to fund future transfers.
The 23-year-old joined the Grecians two years ago from Scottish Premiership giants Rangers, with an initial loan move made permanent the following summer.
Killie Make Move
However, things have been far from plain sailing for the former Leicester City academy star, with an injury-stricken campaign limiting him to just 18 appearances, being largely unable to contribute to try and prevent Exeter’s relegation from League One.
Now, according to the Daily Record, a move back to Scotland could be on the cards for Yfeko with Kilmarnock closing in on an agreement to sign the defender.
Neil McCann’s side are looking to improve upon last season’s close shave with relegation, finishing ultimately six points above St. Mirren, who had to face a playoff game against Championship side Partick Thistle.
It is believed that the Ayrshire club are keen on a swift deal, with the aim of bringing Yfeko to Rugby Park ahead of their opening game of the league season against St. Johnstone.
Exeter are heading back into League Two with what is believed to be one of the lowest budgets in the division, and manager Matt Taylor has stated that player sales are needed in order to sign any new players.
Speaking to Devon Live, the former Bristol Rovers boss said:
“Circumstances would dictate that we’ll struggle to bring any more players in until there’s movement elsewhere. There’s the loan market and sometimes you can get some cheap or even free loans.
“So you can never say never in terms of what the opportunities are in terms of bringing players in, but realistically where we are right now with the budget the way is we’re at a sticking point and that might stay the same until the end of the window. It might stay the same until January.
“As it stands I’m pretty pleased with where we are right now, but I do know we’re short in in certain areas, certainly on the outside of the pitch in defensive and attacking situations.”
Is A Sale The Right Choice?
While Matt Taylor did highlight adding some width to his defensive ranks, which Johnly Yfeko can do for this Exeter City squad, letting him move to join elsewhere could be the best decision for the club heading into this season.
He has shown a lot of glimpses of quality during his initial loan spell which later became permanent, but his injury record has meant that his lack of availability is starting to outweigh what he can contribute on the pitch.
Selling the 23-year-old is the right course of action in order to hunt down new targets, and a move back to Scotland could be the ideal reset for Yfeko, with Kilmarnock looking to rebuild after a tough campaign in general.
