Stoke City are hoping to secure the signature of Dnipro’s Yevhen Konoplyanka on a free transfer.
Dnipro’s chief executive Andriy Rusol says that several clubs are interested in the 25-year-old, who was a Liverpool FC transfer target in January 2014.
When asked if the player may join Stoke, Rusol told BBC Radio Stoke: “Maybe. It’s internal information.”
“There are a lot of clubs interested in Konoplyanka but now I can’t tell you anything about his future.”
Yevhen Konoplyanka has scored 8 goals in 43 appearances for Ukraine, including a stunning long-range strike in 1-1 draw against England at Wembley in a World Cup qualifier in 2012.
He has scored 37 times in 171 games in eight seasons of service at Dnipro and was a key player on their way to the Europa League final this season.
Liverpool FC meanwhile, have reportedly agreed personal terms for Mateo Kovacic of Inter Milan and have not been targeting a deal for Konoplyanka anymore.
Konoplyanka wage demands of A?100000 a week is proving to be a stumbling block for any side who is trying to sign him.
A fast, penetrative winger with good dribbling skills, Yevhen Konoplyanka has been talked up as the ‘Ukrainian Messi’.
He was a member of his country’s 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squad and has scored 7 goals and 3 assists in 21 appearances in the Ukrainian League and has been refusing to renew contract with the Ukrainian side.
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