Premier League trio chasing 'Ukrainian Lionel Messi'
Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 by Talksport.co.uk
A trio of Premier League clubs are hot on the trail of Dnipro playmaker Yevhen Konoplyanka, with Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal all monitoring the 22-year-old playmaker.
Dubbed the "Ukrainian Lionel Messi", Konoplyanka could be available at a cut price now but is expected to star for his country at Euro 2012, which could see his valuation increase significantly.
The winger is keen to play in one of Europe’s elite leagues but Dnipro have a billionaire owner, who financially rewards his players from a young age.
And the top clubs in the country rarely sell homegrown players to foreign clubs, with just three of Ukraine's 23-man squad this summer playing their club football abroad.
Konoplyanka fits the profile for United and Arsenal in terms of age and transfer fee, while Chelsea could still look to bolster their attacking options despite the imminent signing of Belgian star Eden Hazard.
Photos
More»
Eugenie Bouchard sends fans wild in barely-there bikini
Friday April 19 2024
Paige Spiranac shows off underboob in new racy snap
Friday April 19 2024
Ex-Barcelona WAG strips completely naked
Thursday April 18 2024
Your Say