‘London life’ Tottenham’s trump card in snaring Liverpool target
Published:He looked every bit like joining Liverpool in the January transfer window, but now it appears Dnipro are far more receptive to Tottenham’s advances for prize asset Yevhen Konoplyanka.
It feels like every season for the past 10 seasons that Liverpool and Tottenham are linked with the same transfer targets and true to form it seems like Spurs are close to swiping another from under scouse noses.
Konoplyanka could now be following in the footsteps of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Clint Dempsey and Christian Eriksen by moving to White Hart Lane rather than Anfield.
Having been identified as a the next brick in the wall of Brendan Rodgers’ Reds reconstruction project, Liverpool were finally rebuffed in their attempts to sign Konoplyanka at the 11th hour.
One of the main reasons for that potential £16m deal flat lining was the stance of Dnipro’s outspoken president Ihor Kolomoyskyi, who was unhappy with certain terms concerning the move.
And while it was widely believed Liverpool would renew their interest in the talented Ukrainian winger this summer, it appears Kolomoyskyi has other ideas.
“I have contact with the Tottenham president. I am talking with him,” Kolomoysky told Ukrainian TV channel ‘2+2’ .
“He is interested in Konoplyanka. We are in the stage of negotiations and are perhaps close to signing a contract if Yehven agrees. “I would choose Tottenham – London – not Liverpool.
“I believe London life is preferable to Liverpool.”
It would be highly cynical to suggest this could imply Daniel Levy and co are prepared to offer more money to acquire Konoplyanka’s services, but it does mean Liverpool may have to pursue one of a plethora of other targets instead.
The Spurs hierarchy were clearly impressed by the attacker’s contribution over two legs against Dnipro in their recent Europa League clash.
Tottenham’s interest in that competition has since come under huge threat, with the London club priced as the big 10/1 outsiders to progress at Benfica’s expense, as they try to overturn a mountainous 3-1 deficit in Portugal.
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