According to BBC Sport, agent Mino Raiola claims that it would be wrong to abandon attempts to get the Borussia Dortmund playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan a move join Jose Mourinho’s revolution at Manchester United.
Widespread reports claim that Manchester United will sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan in a £30million pound deal. Popular German newspaper Bild have reported that Borussia Dortmund would be willing to sell the provided that Manchester United match their valuation for the player. According to Sky Sources, United are close to completing the signing of the Mkhitaryan after the clubs agreed a £26.3m fee.
Sky Sports journalist Fabrizio Romano also reports on his twitter account that
“Talks are ongoing with BVB. Player wants to join #MUFC, Borussia is asking for €40M, but Man Utd is pushing.”
The 27-year-old Armenian international midfielder has yet to agree personal terms with United but there is huge confidence within the two clubs that the deal will eventually go through.
Mkhitaryan has just one more year left on his current contract, and after the departures of Mats Hummels and Ilkay Gundogan to Bayern Munich and Manchester City respectively, chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke would prefer to keep him at the Signal Iduna Park but going against the players wishes will be a tough ask. It is a transfer that looks close to completion. Here is a look at what he could offer Jose Mourinho and his new look side.
Assuming Manchester United do eventually complete the deal, Henrikh Mkhitaryan could prove a stellar signing by Mourinho. And with the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the two signings could become a real coup come the start of the season. Mkhitaryan who has a year left on his current contract would prefer a move to the Premier League rather than sign a new one at Dortmund.
With the versatility to play in many different roles such as a right-winger, a second striker, an advanced playmaker and also in the centre of midfield, Mourinho has a huge job on his hands finding the perfect role Mkhitaryan in his side; however, the ability the Armenian possesses could give the Portuguese coach a smooth nights sleep. Though, with the added pressure of getting the best out of players such as Memphis Depay, Adnan Januzaj – considering Mourinho keeps him at the club – and also continuing the development of the likes of Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, on paper Mourinho has a young and experienced array of attacking talent in order to make Manchester United the force they once were under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Moreover, Mkhitaryan currently captains the Armenia national and holds an impressive international record – capped 59 times, he is their all-time leading goalscorer having been on target 19 times for his country.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan started his career at Armenia with club side Pyunik Yerevan, before leaving in 2009 and spending four years in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk following a short stint at fellow Ukrainian side Metalurh Donetsk. However, it is at Shakhtar where he began making his mark, playing with the likes of Chelsea’s Willian and Manchester City’s Fernandinho. They were one of the most feared teams in Europe with their impressive performances during the group stages of the Champions League and Mkhitaryan was at the heart of that impressive Shakhtar side from 2011-2013. He went on to win 3 Ukrainian League titles along with 2 Ukrainian cups scoring an impressive 44 goals in 104 games in his whole time in Donetsk before his club-record switch to greener pastures – at Borrusia Dortmund.
Since his move to Dortmund, Mkhitaryan has established himself as on of the best attacking midfielders in European football, and his statistics at the Signal Iduna Park tell its own story with an impressive 40 goals in 136 games in 3 years under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel, last season his performances rewarded him with the Bundesliga player’s player of the year award where he notched 18 goals and 25 assists in the German league and Europa League competition. His partnership with Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Marco Reus led the team to an impressive 2nd place under Tuchel’s first season in charge where they pushed eventual champions Bayern Munich to the edge.
The signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan will provide the attacking incentive Manchester United have craved for the past 2-3 seasons. With the scrutiny Louis Van Gaal faced over his style and philosophy at Old Trafford, he club would hope that Mkhitaryan does not prove a flop like that of Angel Di Maria and Falcao who were rather bought as an experiment by Louis Van Gaal – one which eventually backfired and led to an exodus of players at the beginning of last season. However, with the sudden urge to warp up deals for Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Mkhitaryan, it does look as though Mourinho has a clear and effective plan in order to get the most suitable and best players for his system. The Portuguese coach aims to bring United back to its former glory – whether or not he is at the helm for the long term is entirely another matter.
With the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and also the talented former Villarreal centre-back Eric Bailly, United have made a clear statement of intent that they mean business as the new 2016/17 Premier League season draws nearer. With the rumours surrounding Paul Pogba’s return to Old Trafford this summer according to the Daily Mail highlights the impact Jose Mourinho is quickly establishing after just over 2 months in charge. His ability to operate in the transfer market when given the funds will have been key to United’s decision to appoint him as manager at Old Trafford, with Ibrahimovic’s arrival and the Mkhitaryan signing is an example of Mourinho’s pulling power despite the club not being able to offer them Champions League football after Louis Van Gaal’s shortcomings.
It may be early days in Mourinho’s reign but, with Paul Pogba linked with a return to the club, Mourinho can prove his worth should he complete another high-profile signing. Reports suggest that Mkhitaryan has yet to agree personal terms and undertake a medical at the club; however, the deal does look highly likely to be wrapped up by the end of the week. The signing of Henrikh Mkhitaryan could indeed prove a stellar signing by Mourinho and once again raise the morale and excitement within Old Trafford.
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