Who are ya?
Yevhen Konoplyanka is a Ukrainian international left-winger who has previously been linked with a move to Premier League ‘big boys’ Liverpool and Manchester United. A series of impressive appearances at both international level, as well as on the European stage for Dnipro, the 24-year-old attracted attention from Liverpool last January and indeed nearly joined the Reds for 16 million quid.
A quick Wikipedia search will tell you that he is a one-club man, having joined Dnipro in 2007 he has now entered his seventh year at the club, but now with his performances firmly turning heads, will his head be turned by the lure of the Premier League?
Most wingers are seen as weak, speedy little things who are easily pushed of the ball, much like our very own Matthew Jarvis. Yevhen, however is a bit of a pitbull, at age seven, alongside his young budding football career, the Kirovohrad born boy took up karate and collected his black belt a few years later. Described as a versatile hard working team player with vision, skill and pace it is easy to see why he is so in demand.
Big Sam, spend some money!
This rumour has a touch of the season ticket sales signing, one to get the fans excited and a rather hopeful bid at that. With £7.5 million already spent this window on Kouyate, a budget of £20 million to spend in this window, and at least four more positions to fill I really can’t see Sam Allardyce spending the rumoured £12 million on Konoplyanka. It all sounds rather Neymar like to me.
Knowing our owners, they have seen the twelve million pound release clause and offered a solid six million pound and sat back smugly waiting for the predictable response of ‘thanks but no thanks Dave’.
Believability factor
I just can’t see this rumour coming to any fruition, there are other position that Sam Allardyce has outlined as more of a priority, including left back, centre back and forwards. A left-winger is the last thing we need right now, with Jarvis and Mauro Zarate more than capable of playing out wide. As lovely as it would be to bring in a player of this calibre, I just can’t see why Konoplyanka would choose West Ham over Liverpool.
Alongside that, according to reports in the paper there are doubts whether the Ukrainian international would want to leave his native homeland. For me, this rumour is a non-starter, but it is good to see the club showing some ambition.
Gane Changer
There is little doubt in my mind that Konoplyanka would be a marked improvement on all our current wingers. With European experience, his would bring vital class to our side. His tricky, pacey nature would add flair to our left side and if teams like Liverpool and United are eyeing him he must have something about him.
Come on you Irons!
Tweet me @Bowdenwhu
Why oh why would yevhen go to west ham lololololol
This rumor has Mirror written all over it, load of crap!