The Reds are hoping to push through a deal for the highly-rated Ukraine international after missing out on Mohamed Salah, but Spurs are interested and ready to make their move

By Greg Stobart

Tottenham have shown a late interest in hijacking Liverpool’s €19.4 million move for Ukrainian forward Yevhen Konoplyanka.

Spurs have made contact with Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk and the player’s representatives in recent days and are ready to make a move before the transfer window closes on Friday.

The pacey 24-year-old plays on the left side of attack and is highly rated by Tottenham technical director Franco Baldini.

But the Londoners will have to make their move for Konoplyanka quickly as he is Liverpool’s top target for the remainder of the transfer window as the Reds also look to boost their Champions League ambitions.

Liverpool are attempting to force through the move in good time after being gazumped by Chelsea in their atempts to sign Mohamed Salah from Basel, much to the frustration of manager Brendan Rodgers.

Konoplyanka is eager to move to England and has been tracked by a number of Premier League clubs including Manchester United since his impressive displays at Euro 2012.

Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood was coy on Wednesday night when asked about Konoplyanka following his side’s 5-1 defeat to Manchester City – and played down the club’s chances of landing the Ukrainian.

“Yeah he plays off the left,” said Sherwood. “I know him but nothing looks like happening. We’d have to do it now because we’ve only got two days left.

“I don’t see it happening but that’s why we’ve got people working with us.

“The chairman here is always asking me if there’s anyone we need but I need to make sure they are of the quality we need and not just a body for the sake of it.

“It’s very difficult to change clubs and settle. I would be very cautious if we did anything.”