Spurs in talks with Ukraine ace Konoplyanka, Dnipro chief confirms

Former Liverpool target Yevhen Konoplyanka is now in talks with Premier League rivals Tottenham over a possible summer move, according to the player’s club president at Dnipro Ihor Kolomoyskyi.

“I have contact with the Tottenham president (Daniel Levy). I am talking with him now,” Kolomoyskyi said. “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. There are matches only once or twice a week, and at other times he will still need somewhere to live. I believe London life is preferable to Liverpool.”

The Ukraine star winger was strongly linked with a move to Premier League third-favourites Liverpool (10/3) in January, but a deal could not be agreed between the two parties.

“I talked with Konoplyanka. Of course, he had regrets, but [the move to Liverpool] failed purely due to technical reasons,” Kolomoyskyi added.

“I’m ready to let any player leave, we can’t break his sports career. But on the final day, Liverpool failed to do a deal. They failed themselves. It was purely technical reasons. I’m ready to let go of any player because we cannot break a career, we cannot break players’ destiny.”

Spurs have seen Konoplyanka first hand this season in their last 32 Europa League battle, with the 24-year-old scoring in the first leg to lead the tie 1-0. Tim Sherwood’s side, however, saw off their opponents 3-2 on aggregate as they won a tense battle at home. They are now 40/1 to go on and win the competition.

Konoplyanka has been in fine form this term, getting 10 goals in 26 appearances in all competitions for Dnipro so far from the left wing, and would seemingly be a fantastic replacement for the club’s failed summer transfers. Spurs have yet to find a player to replicate the performances of Gareth Bale.