Manchester United are planning to sign Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk winger Yevhen Konoplyanka under Liverpool’s nose in the coming transfer window.
The 24-year-old has long been on the Merseyside club’s radar and were keen on securing his services in the January transfer window. The Ukrainian international was edging towards a switch to Anfield, only for the deal to collapse on the final day of the mid-season transfer window.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is still keen on sealing the deal for Konoplyanka, but reports suggest that United’s incoming manager is looking to trump Liverpool in acquiring Konoplyanka’s services. The Red Devils scouts have closely watched the winger, while in action for the Ukrainian outfit in recent times, including one during Dnipro’s league win on Sunday.
The player has a buyout clause of a £12m in his contract and interested clubs are set to meet his release clause in order to trigger a transfer. The Old Trafford outfit are reportedly preparing a bid in landing Konoplyanka and are looking to win the race ahead of Liverpool for the winger’s signature.
The former Swansea boss eagerly wanted to sign Konoplyanka in January and the failure has made him resilient to complete the deal in the summer transfer window. However, the Reds and their arch-rivals United will be set for summer battle in signing Dnipro star.
Earlier this year, Dnipro president Ihor Kolomoyskyi revealed Tottenham are interested in signing Konoplyanka.
“I’m talking with Tottenham president. He wants Konoplyanka. We’re negotiating and may even be close to signing a contract. Liverpool was just some representatives talking on the phone. Talks with Spurs is entirely on another level,” Kolomoyskyi said.
“I do not want to criticize the ‘Liverpool’, but if I was interested in football players, I would have done it a week or two before. If Spurs want Konoplyanka, I’d happily sell. London life is better than Liverpool. Spurs’ interest is strong and advanced.”
Do United need Konoplyanka or should they be setting their sights higher? Tell us in the comments below.
Add Sportslens to your Google News Feed!
