Since Brendan Rodgers spoke earlier this week about his hopes for a major signing in January window, the rumour mills have gone into overdrive, about who Liverpool might bring in. Most of the speculation has pertained to Yevhen Konoplyanka, the exciting 24-year-old Ukrainian winger who plies his trade at Dnipro.
Yesterday stories abounded that Liverpool were interested and trying to negotiate a deal for the player. The father of Konoplyanka doused Liverpool hopes of a quick signing when he told the press:
“Yesterday, I had a long and productive conversation with the chairman of another English club. The chances of Yevhen moving to England soon are very high. His club might be Liverpool or another English club.”
Whether this was simply the oft-employed tactic in order to negotiate a better deal with Liverpool, we shall maybe never know.
But, this afternoon, hopes of a deal for Liverpool rose again as a bid for the player was confirmed in The Metro by the selling club:
amid reports that Spurs could hijack a possible transfer, Liverpool have moved quickly and made an official offer for the player.
The bid was confirmed by Dnipro, with president Ihor Kolomoyskyi telling the Ukrainian media that the offer was ‘in the region of £16million’.
Meanwhile The Telegraph has reported today that Tottenham could make a late move for the player.
Other reports this afternoon suggest that Spurs could be in for Manchester United winger Nani. So they may well be after a wide man.
And The Independent specifies a third club that could be interested in his services:
Liverpool face battle to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka despite opening negotiations, with Tottenham and Manchester United linked
Amidst the absolute frenzy which is currently surrounding this transparent one of the more interesting soundbites comes from Oleg Luzhny, the ex-Arsenal player, who reckons that the player might not adapt that well to the style of play in The Premier league. Konoplyanka’s countryman said:
“I don’t think the English league is right for him,” said the ex-Ukrainian international.
“Konoplyanka’s style of play is better suited to Italy or Spain. The game in England is totally different – it’s about power. You have to run back and forth, back and forth. You run at speed up and down, and it’s like that for 90 minutes.
That is always a gamble you take with a player who hasn’t played in The Premier League. But if reports are to be believed then it isn’t just Liverpool who are prepared to take that gamble.
We’re going to stick our necks out and say that we think this deal will go ahead and that Liverpool will be the club to sign the exciting winger. Liverpool need a deal to give them a boost ahead of the second half of the campaign and this guy looks like a great alternative to Mohammed Salah.
We shall keep you updated on developments. Meantime, let’s have a look at the player in action.
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Sadiq
Jan 30, 2014 at 6:53 pm
Pls branda buy dis guy 4 god sak