Liverpool were so close in landing him on the transfer day. Yet, they were so far. Reports emerged that the player had undergone medical, yet there was no deal signed. In the end, it turned out to be a futile trip to Ukraine for Ian Ayre and the medical team.

Despite the failure to land Yevhen Konoplyanka in the January transfer window, Liverpool are optimistic of buying the Dnipro midfielder in the summer. Their chances of getting him will be boosted by Champions League football, which at this moment, seems a high possibility for the Reds, as they gradually consolidate on the top four spot.

However, Tottenham can be the thorn in the flesh here, and going by the reports, the North London club are reportedly keen on bringing the 24-year-old to the White Hart Lane in the summer as well.

The Reds’ failure to land him has kept the door ajar for them to exploit with Spurs’ hierarchy confident of luring ahead of their Premier League rivals.

Spurs got a glimpse again of Konoplyanka’s enormous talent, where the Ukraine star produced a superb performance in the Europa League against them. Spurs officials are preparing a formal meeting with Dnipro counterparts when the two sides meet on Thursday at the Lane.