Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have been boosted by the fact that Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka has rejected the advances of AS Roma.
The Reds came incredibly close to signing the player last winter, with Ian Ayre, the club’s CEO being in Ukraine on deadline day, only for a deal to fall through at the last minute. Last summer, Tottenham Hotspur were vigorously linked with the player but again, a deal could not materialize for the 26 year old. West Ham United were also linked with a move.
This winter, Italian side AS Roma had made their interest in the player pretty clear, and the winger’s move to Italy was all but done, but it’s now revealed that a deal between all three parties could not be agreed as the Ukrainian international has now revealed that he does not wish to play in Italy and could possibly be holding out for a ‘dream’ move to England.
Konoplyanka said: “Yes, Roma were interested in me, but I refused them. Perhaps they will be disappointed but that’s life and that’s football.
“Last time with Liverpool was different. I wanted to go there but the clubs could not agree terms [with each other]. My goal as a child was to play in England.
“The leagues are stronger and I still want to try my hand there.”
Liverpool and Spurs could now both possibly try to land the player before the deadline closes and his club Dnipro might also want to sell him now as the player’s contract expires in the summer and they could get some money for him now as opposed to at the end of the season. With no suggestions of the Reds or Spurs being interested in the player currently, chances of that happening seem incredibly bleak, if at all likely. However, an approach in the summer from both these sides, especially long term suitors Liverpool cannot be ruled out. Konoplyanka is a bright and creative player, who could prove to be a valuable addition to the squad. If either of the sides manage to get into the Champions League next season, they would need enough players, and quality players, to ensure they don’t fall short of the challenge (the Reds would have surely learnt their lesson this time). Hence the possibility of the Ukrainian coming to England right away is very less but we might see him in the Premier League next season.
