Liverpool and Arsenal have received a huge transfer boost as Borussia Dortmund star Henrikh Mkhitaryan is angling for a move away from the club.
Dortmund could lose a few stars come the end of the season as they are languishing in the bottom and could miss out on European qualification. Mkhitaryan’s agent Mino Raiola was quoted saying by Bild, “Henrikh wants to leave Dortmund at the end of the season.
“We will have to wait and see what we can do.”
The Armenian joined Dortmund in 2013 from Shakhtar Donetsk for a hefty fee of A?23.6m and since then he has had a mixed time at Dortmund. After having a good first season at Dortmund, Mkhitaryan has struggled to repeat his form this time and has often bottled it when found in goal scoring positions. With the Dortmund striker’s struggling to find form this season, Mkhitaryan’s goals could have been key, but the 26-year old hasn’t been able to help his side.
Mkhitaryan had as many as nine goals and ten assists in his first season in the Bundesliga which made him one of the top attackers in the League last year. This season, he has provided just one assist and is yet to score after 13 Bundesliga appearances. The departure of Robert Lewandowski has had a huge impact on the Armenian’s game as well. The duo had forged a decent partnership with each other before Lewandowski’s departure to Bayern this season.
Prior to his move to Dortmund, Liverpool were strongly linked with Mkhitaryan but the former Shakhtar man chose Dortmund as the prospect of continuing to play in the Champions League seemed like a better decision at the time. However, with his side nowhere close to a Champions League spot this season, Mkitaryan could move to pastures anew. The versatile attacker can play just behind the striker or as a winger. With manager Brendan Rodgers deciding not to spend in January, we could see some activity from Liverpool especially when their talismanic captain Steven Gerrard will no longer be at the club come summer. Mkhitaryan is more of a number 10 player than a number 8, so he will not be Gerrard’s direct replacement. However, with Liverpool playing a 3-4-2-1 formation we could see both Mkhitaryan and Coutinho play together, if he signs that is.
Arsenal are reportedly interested in Mkhitaryan as well and it’s very likely that they’ll strengthen come summer. However, with Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Oxlade-Chamberlain at the club, it’s unlikely that they’ll strengthen that part of the team. That could leave Liverpool in a good position to bid for him. Rodgers men will want to qualify for the Champions League though as it will be key in attracting top talent.