• Premier League

Liverpool target Mkhitaryan 'can leave for €30m'

ESPN staff
July 4, 2013
Brendan Rodgers has made Henrikh Mkhitaryan one of his main targets © PA Photos
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Liverpool target Henrikh Mkhitaryan will not be allowed to leave Shakhtar Donetsk for less than €30 million, according to the club's chief executive Sergei Palkin.

Champions League runners-up Borussia Dortmund are the only club to have lodged an official offer for the Armenian midfielder, yet Anfield boss Brendan Rodgers is also believed to be preparing a bid for the playmaker.

Palkin has revealed that the player can only leave on a cut price deal if he hands over a huge sum of money to break his contract.

"Borussia Dortmund offered €23 million for him," Palkin told Football.ua. "This was the sole offer, but our position is €30 million.

"Mkhitaryan doesn't have a release clause in his contract, but it does spell out the penalties for unilateral termination of the contract, which is equal to US$30 million (£19.8 million).

"If Mkhitaryan wants to terminate the contract, he must pay Shakhtar US$30 million and go to a club that he likes. If we go in a civilized manner and sell the player, and in doing so he does not break the contract, the value we place on him is €30 million (£25.5 million)."

Palkin went on to confirm that Mkhitaryan will be punished for his failure to report for pre-season training with Shakhtar, even though his departure from the club seems increasingly probable.

"Of course Mkhitaryan will be punished," he added. "He did not show up at training camp. In his contract, the penalties for such behaviour are all spelled out, so it is not a problem for us to fine him."

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has hinted that he is on the look out for an attacking midfielder of Mkhitaryan's ilk, even though he has declared himself satisfied with his summer signings so far.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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