Liverpool’s capture of FC Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka is reportedly close to completion, with Ukrainian international set to move to Anfield for an increased fee of €19m.
Konoplyanka, who was thrust into the transfer spotlight early this week, has emerged as Brendan Rodgers’ number one target this January, and according to the unofficial Dnipro website, a Liverpool delegation has flown to Ukraine to finalise the move with Dnipro executive Andriy Rusol.
That Reds delegation is said to include Ian Ayre, the Liverpool managing director.
The move has excited the majority of the Anfield faithful, who are eager to see Liverpool snap up an explosive wide-man to help them secure that coveted top four spot.
Read more – Scouting Konoplyanka – Liverpool’s next big signing?
The Daily Mirror have reported that the club have increased their offer for the attacker to €19m, so as to fend off potential rivals to his signature.
This source in Ukraine also claims Spurs are out of the race, but that Liverpool now face competition from an unnamed German side.
— David Anderson (@MirrorAnderson) January 30, 2014
Konoplyanka is said to be keen to leave Dnipro, with the player telling the Ukrainian press,
“LFC?, I’m so excited about it and soon you will know where I will play.”
“It’s all very serious. I’m shocked myself. It will all be clear very soon.”
Former Ukrainian defender Oleg Luzhny has not given his seal of approval however. Describing him as a ‘headless chicken’, the ex-Arsenal man said: “I don’t think the English league is right for him.
“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.”
Despite Luzhny’s words of warning, the deal seems to be moving swiftly, with the Ukrainian set to earn £60,000-a-week at Anfield.
What do you think? Would Konoplyanka adapt to the Premier League? Let me know in the comments below…
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