Manchester United Hold Talks With Dnipro in Making Yevhen Konoplyanka First Summer Signing

Manchester United are considering a move to sign Liverpool transfer target Yevhen Konoplyanka this summer, according to the Mirror.

The Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk star has long been a target for Brendan Rodgers's side as the Northern Irishman has changed the winger since the start of the year. Tottenham Hotspur also made contact with Dnipro in sealing a summer move for the 24-year-old.

The report claims United's incoming manager Louis van Gaal has set his sights on the talented winger and wants to make Konoplyanka his first signing at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have already held talks with Dnipro over a potential transfer this summer.

Konoplyanka has a £12m release clause and interested clubs need to meet the asking price for his signature. United are ready to pay the player's price tag and land him in the transfer window in order to make a statement of intent this summer.

The Old Trafford club are keen on taking the lead ahead of their arch rivals Liverpool in securing a deal for Konoplyanka. The winger was close to joining the Reds in January only for the deal to collapse during the final hours of the window.

United's hopes of signing the winger were further encouraged after the Ukrainian outfit's sporting director Andriy Rusol admitted Dnipro will be powerless in holding on to their star player if the Red Devils make an approach for Konoplyanka.

Meanwhile, Robin van Persie scored the only goal during the Netherlands's 1-0 win over Ghana during the international friendly in Rotterdam. Van Gaal, who is currently in charge of the Dutch team, will return to Old Trafford after completing the World Cup campaign in Brazil with his national side.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager expressed his frustration after the Netherlands failed to take advantage of the opportunities his side had to score more goals.

"We are too careless with the ball at times. In the first half, there were many opportunities for us to create opportunities, but we have not taken advantage of them," Van Gaal explained.

"We have created and scored a brilliant goal, but it should have been 3-0. We had another two fantastic attacks."