Big Guns Linked With Ukrainian Playmaker

With the summer transfer window set to open, we’ll keep you up-to-date with all the latest transfer news. Today, a Ukrainian midfielder is linked with a move to the Premier League.

Dnipro playmaker Yevhen Konoplyanka is being tracked by Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United, according to talkSPORT.

The 22-year-old is one of Ukraine’s most highly-rated youngsters and has been dubbed as the ‘Ukrainian Lionel Messi’ due to his tricky style of play.

Usually deployed on the wing, Konoplyanka made his Dnipro debut at the age of 18 and has gone on to make 89 appearances for the club, scoring 18 goals and has also represented the national team on 16 occasions, netting 5 times.

talkSPORT suggest that Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd have all been monitoring his progress and Konoplyanka is thought to be keen on a move to a top European side. He is expected to play a starring role in this summers European championships for host national Ukraine, which would see his value rocket, so the Premier League trio may have to move quickly is they are to secure his signature at a reasonable rate.

However, prising him away from Dnipro and their billionaire owner is not going to be an easy task, as it’s believed the club pay their youngsters handsomely in order to keep them on home soil. This is highlighted by the fact that just 3 of Ukraine’s 23-man squad this summer play their football outside Ukraine.

FT Verdict

Pretty weak piece of transfer gossip from talkSPORT. There is little substance in the story and even if true, Konoplyanka is likely to be one of a long list of players that are being tracked by clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea and United. Can’t see him playing in the Premier League any time soon.

Would you like to see Konoplyanka at your club? Get involved in the comments section.