Speculation about former Borussia Dortmund attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan ended after the club announced that a deal had been agreed for the Armenian with Manchester United, and now details about his contract have been revealed. In other United related news, midfielder Juan Mata seems to be on his way out, as odds have been slashed on his imminent exit.
After months of ongoing talks about Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s future, Borussia Dortmund announced on Sunday that they have agreed a deal with Manchester United for the 27-year-old. The Armenian joined the Black and Yellows in 2013 and is now on his way out after spending three seasons at the Westfalenstadion. His signing would undoubtedly bolster the United attack, as Jose Mourinho plans on bringing immediate success to Old Trafford.
While one star player is on his way in, another seems to have been shown the door by the new man in charge. If reports are to be believed, Juan Mata is set to move to Everton as Mourinho does not see how the Spaniard can fit into his system. Mata, who moved to Old Trafford in January 2014, had a decent run with the Red Devils but is now on his way out of the club.
Mkhitaryan will earn close to €58 million in four years at Manchester United
While an official announcement is still to be made, Samuel Luckhurst of Manchester Evening News (h/t BILD), has given an insight about the Armenian’s deal at the club. According to him:
- Mkhitaryan will receive a signing on bonus worth €8m
- His annual wage is a total of €12.5m or €240,000-a-week
- The contract runs until 2020
- The total value of the deal (fee and wages) is exactly €100m before bonuses
He could cost United an incredible £83 million over four seasons at Old Trafford.
As staggering an amount that it may seem, the Portuguese manager knows the quality Mkhitaryan brings to the table. His versatility is second to none, as he can be deployed anywhere in the attacking third. He can play as a number 10, a striker, and on either wings, giving Mourinho tremendous flexibility in his operations.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan: Has registered more assists (29) than any other player in the last 3 Bundesliga seasons pic.twitter.com/Z04V1C52KV
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) June 27, 2016
In the 2015/16 season, Mkhitaryan clocked 31 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund while scoring 11 goals and assisting another 15. According to WhoScored, the Armenian international provided 2.7 key pass and completed 2.6 dribbles per 90 minutes of football. For a side that looked toothless going forward for the majority of last season, United may have made the perfect buy.
Odds slashed on Juan Mata’s departure from the club
Juan Mata’s days at Old Trafford looked numbered ever since Jose Mourinho took over as manager and now with the arrival of Mkhitaryan from Dortmund, the Spaniard might be shown the door. If recent reports are to be believed, Everton have emerged as favourites to sign the 28-year-old.
According to UK betting portal SkyBet, the odds of Mata moving to Everton have been slashed to 4/11. It is believed that new Toffees’ boss Ronald Koeman is a fan of the 28-year-old and wants to work with him at Goodison Park. Former club Valencia too are interested in the Spaniard and the bookies’ odds of Mata moving to the Mestalla are 5/2.
