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With one day left in the transfer window, Liverpool have little time to work out the details as the club attempts to make a late major signing with Ukraine and Dnipro winger Yevhen Konoplyanka. After reportedly spending two and a half months chasing failed target Mohamed Salah, this time around the deal will have to be done in closer to two and a half days—and the signs are positive that it will be.
Multiple reports suggest Tottenham have dropped out of the running—or were never in it to begin with—and though there may be interest from clubs in England, Germany, and perhaps even France, Liverpool appear frontrunners for a player that will cost between £14.8M and £16.5M. Even Konoplyanka is sounding positive about the possible move, responding to direct questions about Liverpool from the Ukrainian press.
"I'm excited about it and soon everyone will know where I will play," said Konoplyanka when reporters asked about the sudden and, it turns out, unexpected interest from Liverpool as he and his Dnipro teammates returned from a mid-season training camp in Spain where they spent the Ukrainian league's winter break. "Is it very serious with Liverpool? I am shocked myself at how serious it is. I think in the near future everything will become clear."
Konoplyanka's contract expires in 18 months. and the player has suggested he won't be signing a new deal to stay at Dnipro as he targets a move to one of Europe's bigger leagues. After being linked to Liverpool last summer, it has been suggested that the club had planned to target Konplyanka in the coming offseason when, with just a year left on his contract, he might have been had for even less.
Whether either plays at a position of immediate need, the failure to land Mohamed Salah may have accelerated those plans. With head of player recruitment Dave Fallows in Ukraine attempting to fianlise the deal, Ian Ayre is reported to have headed to Spain, leading to rumours the club is also chasing Spartak's Romulo with the Russian club also doing their mid-season training there.
