• Premier League

Liverpool eye Shakhtar's Mkhitaryan

ESPN staff
June 4, 2013
Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored 25 goals in the Ukrainian Premier League last season © PA Photos
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Liverpool are weighing up a move to bring in Armenia international Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Shakhtar Donetsk, ESPN understands.

Mkhitaryan, who scored 25 goals from midfield in the Ukrainian Premier League last season, is likely to cost more than £20 million.

The 24-year-old is under contract with Shakhtar until 2015, but suggested in March that he would be looking to move on after his side were knocked out of the Champions League in the last 16 by Borussia Dortmund.

Mkhitaryan reportedly said at the time that he "will do everything this summer to join one of the strongest clubs in the world", although he later back-pedalled via a statement on Shakhtar's official website claiming he had been misquoted.

The attacking midfielder has since been linked with Chelsea, Manchester City and Barcelona, but Liverpool have been tracking him too.

It is understood that owners Fenway Sports Group have not been put off by the player's price tag, and are prepared to sanction an offer for Mkhitaryan, who was Armenia's player of the year in 2009, 2011 and 2012.

Such a bid does not depend on Liverpool bringing in money by selling Luis Suarez, who declared at a press conference in his native Uruguay last week that he wants to leave Anfield. Liverpool have yet to receive a bid for Suarez, who has still to submit a transfer request.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are hoping to complete that £7.7 million signing of Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas this week.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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