Liverpool open talks to sign Konoplyanka

Brendan Rodgers is looking to bolster his attacking line as he chases Champions League football and has lined up the Ukraine international after missing out on Mohamed Salah

By Paul Clennam

Liverpool have begun negotiations with Dnipro over a deal for Ukraine international Yevhen Konoplyanka.

Brendan Rodgers is keen to take the opportunity to add to his squad before the January transfer window closes on Friday, with the Reds firmly in the mix to challenge for a top-four finish.

Dnipro are hoping to secure a fee of €24 million for winger Konoplyanka, who hit the headlines in England following his terrific long-range strike against the Three Lions in a World Cup qualifier back in 2012.

Liverpool are, however, reluctant to pay such a lofty fee and are looking to strike a deal around the €15m mark as they attempt to secure a signing late on in the window having missed out on Mohamed Salah to Chelsea.

Speaking after watching his side’s 4-0 thumping of Merseyside rivals Everton, Rodgers expressed his desire to seal a “major signing” before Friday’s deadline.

He told reporters: “I think we will hopefully do something over the next couple of days.

“Hopefully we can have a major signing before the window shuts and if we can do that we will be set up for the remaining games.”

Despite reports again linking Thomas Ince with a return to Anfield, Goal understands that the Merseysiders are not currently interested in the 21-year-old, who has been granted permission to leave Blackpool on loan in January.

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