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LIVERPOOL MANAGER BRENDAN RODGERS SHOWS INTENT WITH £20M MOVE FOR ARMENIA MIDFIELDER HENRIKH MKHITARYAN
Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to secure Armenian midfielder
Henrikh Mkhitaryan for £20 million as Brendan Rodgers sets his sights
on his first major summer signing.
Red target: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (centre), is wanted by Liverpool
Photo: EPA
By Chris Bascombe
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10122026/Liverpool-manager-Brendan-Rodgers-shows-intent-with-20m-move-for-Armenia-midfielder-Henrikh-Mkhitaryan.html
10:30PM BST 14 Jun 2013
The Merseyside club are preparing a formal approach to the Ukrainian
champions Shakhtar Donetsk for the 24-year-old.
Mkhitaryan has become one of the most highly-sought attacking
midfielders in Europe and if Liverpool can lure the player despite
the absence of European football at Anfield next season it would
represent quite a coup.
Rodgers made Mkhitaryan his prime target when assembling his list of
summer recruits.
Initially, there were suggestions Liverpool would have to fund such
a move with the proceeds of the sale of Luis Suárez, but that is
not the case.
Indeed, the club is prepared to sign a player they have coveted in the
hope it will convince the Uruguayan to remain on Merseyside, although
that remains an optimistic hope at this stage given Suárez's public
comments asserting a desire to move to Real Madrid.
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Mkhitaryan struck 25 goals in the Ukrainian league last season and
is considered one of Shakhtar's outstanding performers. He joined
Donetsk in 2010, winning player of the year in 2012 and numerous
league titles and domestic cups.
Shakhtar have already done business with the Premier League this month,
allowing Fernandinho to join Manchester City for £34 million.
The Ukrainians' signing of Wellington Nem from Fluminense and Fernando
from Gremio for a combined £18 million appeared to pave the way for
the loss of their two prized assets.
Rodgers has made it known he was pursuing more goals from an advanced
midfielder and Mkhitaryan certainly fits the bill.
The Armenian can play as a central striker or in his preferred
role as a No 10 behind the forwards. He was the star performer when
Armenia demolished Denmark 4-0 in Copenhagen in last week's World Cup
qualifier, during which he scored and shone with his pace and skill.
It could become a hugely significant transfer window for Liverpool,
especially with Iago Aspas secured, despite suggestions that his move
has been 'blocked' by the Spanish Football Association. Liverpool
have confirmed a deal with Celta Vigo has been done and they are
simply awaiting documentation.
Suárez's desire to join Real Madrid is unwelcome, but Rodgers is
gradually trying to add more European-class quality into his squad
to add to last January's additions of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel
Sturridge.
Luis Alberto is another anticipated arrival from Sevilla, as is
Sporting Lisbon's defender Tiago Ilori.
The chances of signing Kyriakos Papadopoulos are receding, however,
due to injury concerns surrounding the Greek defender.
Papadopoulos was an attractive option for Rodgers, but suffered a
serious knee injury last season and the fee involved, well above the
£12 million Liverpool initially anticipated, has made the Merseysiders
consider other options.
Other players are available for transfer to bolster the transfer
kitty. Jonjo Shelvey, the subject of interest from Norwich City,
could leave for an offer in excess of £5 million, while despite
a return to favour at the end of last season, Liverpool would also
entertain bids for Stewart Downing.
Liverpool, though, are eager for Andy Carroll to confirm a
£15â~@~Imillion move to West Ham as soon as possible.
Martin Skrtel has long been anticipated to leave in this transfer
window, a reunion with former manager Rafael BenÃtez at Napoli mooted.
Liverpool are stepping up their efforts to secure Armenian midfielder
Henrikh Mkhitaryan for £20 million as Brendan Rodgers sets his sights
on his first major summer signing.
Red target: Henrikh Mkhitaryan (centre), is wanted by Liverpool
Photo: EPA
By Chris Bascombe
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/liverpool/10122026/Liverpool-manager-Brendan-Rodgers-shows-intent-with-20m-move-for-Armenia-midfielder-Henrikh-Mkhitaryan.html
10:30PM BST 14 Jun 2013
The Merseyside club are preparing a formal approach to the Ukrainian
champions Shakhtar Donetsk for the 24-year-old.
Mkhitaryan has become one of the most highly-sought attacking
midfielders in Europe and if Liverpool can lure the player despite
the absence of European football at Anfield next season it would
represent quite a coup.
Rodgers made Mkhitaryan his prime target when assembling his list of
summer recruits.
Initially, there were suggestions Liverpool would have to fund such
a move with the proceeds of the sale of Luis Suárez, but that is
not the case.
Indeed, the club is prepared to sign a player they have coveted in the
hope it will convince the Uruguayan to remain on Merseyside, although
that remains an optimistic hope at this stage given Suárez's public
comments asserting a desire to move to Real Madrid.
Related Articles
Suárez: I will not agitate for a move
14 Jun 2013
Liverpool seal £7m Aspas deal
13 Jun 2013
Liverpool to seal £7m Aspas deal
10 Jun 2013
Mascherano 'ashamed' after red for medic kick
12 Jun 2013
Rodgers eyes top four finish with Liverpool
11 Jun 2013
Fowler: Liverpool must retain Suarez
09 Jun 2013
Mkhitaryan struck 25 goals in the Ukrainian league last season and
is considered one of Shakhtar's outstanding performers. He joined
Donetsk in 2010, winning player of the year in 2012 and numerous
league titles and domestic cups.
Shakhtar have already done business with the Premier League this month,
allowing Fernandinho to join Manchester City for £34 million.
The Ukrainians' signing of Wellington Nem from Fluminense and Fernando
from Gremio for a combined £18 million appeared to pave the way for
the loss of their two prized assets.
Rodgers has made it known he was pursuing more goals from an advanced
midfielder and Mkhitaryan certainly fits the bill.
The Armenian can play as a central striker or in his preferred
role as a No 10 behind the forwards. He was the star performer when
Armenia demolished Denmark 4-0 in Copenhagen in last week's World Cup
qualifier, during which he scored and shone with his pace and skill.
It could become a hugely significant transfer window for Liverpool,
especially with Iago Aspas secured, despite suggestions that his move
has been 'blocked' by the Spanish Football Association. Liverpool
have confirmed a deal with Celta Vigo has been done and they are
simply awaiting documentation.
Suárez's desire to join Real Madrid is unwelcome, but Rodgers is
gradually trying to add more European-class quality into his squad
to add to last January's additions of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel
Sturridge.
Luis Alberto is another anticipated arrival from Sevilla, as is
Sporting Lisbon's defender Tiago Ilori.
The chances of signing Kyriakos Papadopoulos are receding, however,
due to injury concerns surrounding the Greek defender.
Papadopoulos was an attractive option for Rodgers, but suffered a
serious knee injury last season and the fee involved, well above the
£12 million Liverpool initially anticipated, has made the Merseysiders
consider other options.
Other players are available for transfer to bolster the transfer
kitty. Jonjo Shelvey, the subject of interest from Norwich City,
could leave for an offer in excess of £5 million, while despite
a return to favour at the end of last season, Liverpool would also
entertain bids for Stewart Downing.
Liverpool, though, are eager for Andy Carroll to confirm a
£15â~@~Imillion move to West Ham as soon as possible.
Martin Skrtel has long been anticipated to leave in this transfer
window, a reunion with former manager Rafael BenÃtez at Napoli mooted.