Reds want Dnipro midfielder
Liverpool have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Dnipro’s Ukraine international, Yevhen Konoplyanka.
Brendan Rodgers is eyeing the highly-rated midfielder as an ideal replacement for Raheem Sterling – who is set to depart Liverpool for pastures new this summer, as Manchester City remain interested in the want-away England international.
25-year-old Konoplyanka is now a free-agent, after his contract with Dnipro expired – more importantly for Liverpool, his wage demands fit within their current budget, meaning a deal is very much on the cards.
James Milner, Danny Ings and Adam Bogdan have all joined the club on free-transfers, meanwhile the transfer of Charlton Athletic‘s 18-year-old defender, Joe Gomez, on Saturday.
Interest in Konoplyanka from elsewhere
Konoplyanka helped Dnipro to the Europa League final in Warsaw – however it appears that the Ukrainian’s opponents that evening, Sevilla remain favourites, in what would be a bitter blow for Liverpool’s plans.
Spanish media suggest that despite Konoplyanka’s eyes being fixed upon a move to England, officials from the La Liga side met with Dnipro’s president, Igor Kolomoisky, at his home in Geneva.
Even though the player has now left on a free, Dnipro reserve a sell-on percentage worth around 20-40% – so in theory, he is still strongly tied to the club despite his departure, due to a complex agreement.
Sevilla remain hopeful that personal terms can be agreed, and a transfer can be sealed to take him to the southern tip of Spain, rather than Merseyside.
Moving back to the Premier League, and the Reds have competition from both Tottenham Hotspur and Stoke City, both of whom are confident they can also prize him from under the noses of the Europa League winners, and the Anfield club.
by Ben Reardon
@BenReardon1
