Manchester United’s new manager Louis van Gaal looks set to challenge arch rivals Liverpool over the signing of Ukrainian winger Yevhen Konoplyanka according to reports in this morning’s Daily Mirror.
Liverpool tried unsuccessfully to sign the £12million Dnipro winger during the January transfer window despite managing director Ian Ayre spending days in the Ukraine trying to get a deal done.
Liverpool were thought to be the favourites to sign him this summer, but Manchester United scouts have been seen watching the 24-year-old as late as last weekend.
The news out of Old Trafford is that the club is waiting for the new boss van Gaal to say he wants to sign him before United makes their move.
Tottenham also were said to have made a late bid for the pacy winger, but have yet to show interest this summer as they still search for a new manager.
Manchester United lack of Champions League football could hurt them when it comes to attracting players but, Dnipro director Andriy Stetsenko has now claimed: “Konoplyanka is still available for any club to buy. His contact has a buy-out option worth £12million.”
