Tweet
IBTimes.co.uk
June 15 2013
Liverpool to Blow Transfer Budget on Armenian Midfielder - Report
By IBTIMES STAFF REPORTER:
Liverpool are close to completing a move for Armenian international
Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Reds are expected to have to pay in excess of
£20m for the 24-year-old midfielder, whose goals from the centre of
the park will be expected to offset the loss of Uruguay international
Luis Suarez, whether temporary or permanent. If they do make that
purchase, then it will mean a considerable investment on the part of
the club, which is believed to have only £20m for new signings this
summer.
The Guardian believes Anfield chiefs have contacted the player's club
- Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk - and a quick deal is expected.
Mkhitaryan had a brilliant season, scoring a record 25 times from
central midfield, which will give Brendan Rodgers' men a much-needed
boost to their attacking play.
The Reds were first linked to Mkhitaryan back in March but the
Armenian's speculated price at the time was only £12m. There was also
talk of a player/cash deal, with £10m and Slovakian centre-back Martin
Skrtel to sweeten the offer. With Tottenham also believed to be
monitoring the player, the ex-Swansea City boss could have a difficult
fight on his hands.
A major problem will be that Donetsk do not really need the money from
Mkhitaryan's potential transfer. The Ukrainians pocketed a reported
40m after Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho moved to Manchester City
earlier this summer.
What could work in Liverpool and Spurs' favour is the player being
open to a move to England. Speaking to the Mirror in March, Mkhitaryan
confirmed he was looking forward to "play for the strongest clubs in
the world" and said, "I will do everything possible to move this
summer to a different team."
The Express earlier also linked Europa League champions Chelsea with a
bid for Mkhitaryan, potentially creating another hotly contested race
among the Premier League elite for prime young overseas talent.
Meanwhile, Suarez, whom Marca reports has agreed terms with nine-time
European champions Real Madrid, has sought to calm troubled waters...
for now at least. The former Ajax forward, who scored 30 goals in all
competitions for Liverpool last season and bit Chelsea defender
Branislav Ivanovic on the arm, claims his first priority is the FIFA
Confederations Cup.
"I love to play for Uruguay. Now, I don't want to think about anything
else. I want to do my best here. The Confederations Cup is a very
difficult tournament. Uruguay has enormous prestige and the
Confederations Cup is the only title we don't have," the 26-year-old
declared.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/479103/20130615/liverpool-transfer-news-henrikh-mkhitaryan-shakhtar-donetsk.htm
June 15 2013
Liverpool to Blow Transfer Budget on Armenian Midfielder - Report
By IBTIMES STAFF REPORTER:
Liverpool are close to completing a move for Armenian international
Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Reds are expected to have to pay in excess of
£20m for the 24-year-old midfielder, whose goals from the centre of
the park will be expected to offset the loss of Uruguay international
Luis Suarez, whether temporary or permanent. If they do make that
purchase, then it will mean a considerable investment on the part of
the club, which is believed to have only £20m for new signings this
summer.
The Guardian believes Anfield chiefs have contacted the player's club
- Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk - and a quick deal is expected.
Mkhitaryan had a brilliant season, scoring a record 25 times from
central midfield, which will give Brendan Rodgers' men a much-needed
boost to their attacking play.
The Reds were first linked to Mkhitaryan back in March but the
Armenian's speculated price at the time was only £12m. There was also
talk of a player/cash deal, with £10m and Slovakian centre-back Martin
Skrtel to sweeten the offer. With Tottenham also believed to be
monitoring the player, the ex-Swansea City boss could have a difficult
fight on his hands.
A major problem will be that Donetsk do not really need the money from
Mkhitaryan's potential transfer. The Ukrainians pocketed a reported
40m after Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho moved to Manchester City
earlier this summer.
What could work in Liverpool and Spurs' favour is the player being
open to a move to England. Speaking to the Mirror in March, Mkhitaryan
confirmed he was looking forward to "play for the strongest clubs in
the world" and said, "I will do everything possible to move this
summer to a different team."
The Express earlier also linked Europa League champions Chelsea with a
bid for Mkhitaryan, potentially creating another hotly contested race
among the Premier League elite for prime young overseas talent.
Meanwhile, Suarez, whom Marca reports has agreed terms with nine-time
European champions Real Madrid, has sought to calm troubled waters...
for now at least. The former Ajax forward, who scored 30 goals in all
competitions for Liverpool last season and bit Chelsea defender
Branislav Ivanovic on the arm, claims his first priority is the FIFA
Confederations Cup.
"I love to play for Uruguay. Now, I don't want to think about anything
else. I want to do my best here. The Confederations Cup is a very
difficult tournament. Uruguay has enormous prestige and the
Confederations Cup is the only title we don't have," the 26-year-old
declared.
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/479103/20130615/liverpool-transfer-news-henrikh-mkhitaryan-shakhtar-donetsk.htm