Anfield club look set to miss out as Ukraine star heads for White Hart Lane.
Tottenham are closing in on a shock deal to sign Yevhen Konoplyanka – the winger who came within a whisker of joining Liverpool in January.
Check in to Liverpool vs Sunderland
The Reds nearly signed the 24-year-old Dnipro star in a £15m deadline day deal but the move broke down, despite the best efforts of managing director Ian Ayre who was reportedly locked in negotiations until past midnight.
Dnirpo’s president, Ukrainian billionaire Ihor Kolomoyskyi, reportedly refused to sign the crucial paperwork but he has now given his blessing for Konoplyanka to move to Spurs and revealed a deal is ‘close’.
“I talked with Konoplyanka. Of course, he had regrets, but [the move to Liverpool] failed purely due to technical reasons,” Kolomoyskyi told Ukrainian website Prosport.
“I’m talking with the Tottenham president. He wants Konoplyanka. We’re negotiating and may even be close to signing a contract.
“Konoplyanka? Liverpool was just some representatives talking on the phone. Talks with Spurs is entirely on another level.
“If Spurs want Konoplyanka, I’d happily sell. London life is better than Liverpool. Spurs’ interest is strong and advanced.”
The news will come as a blow to Liverpool, who were reportedly keen to reignite their interest in Konoplyanka in the summer.
Spurs faced a two-legged Europa League tie with Dnipro last month and chairman Daniel Levy may have negotiated with the Ukrainian club during meetings with officials.