Wednesday, 19th June, 2013
Shakhtar Donetsk are unwilling to let star midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan leave the club without a fight, even as reports of a move to Liverpool abound.
The club have denied that Liverpool have made any approach for the Armenian, with Shakhtar Donetsk general manager Sergei Palkin insisting the speculation is nowhere close to reality at present.
Mkhitaryan’s value has been rising quickly, especially after a season that saw him emerge as the club’s leading scorer with 25 goals.
He has plenty of Champions League experience with the Ukrainian league title-winners, and it is no surprise that Liverpool appear willing to part with the £20m required to activate his release clause.
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His contract runs until 2015, but despite all the interest Shakhtar Donetsk seem steadfast in their desire to hold out for the best deal possible, which will mean his release clause will have to be met.
"As you know, there have been too many different conversations about Henrik Mkhitaryan", Palkin told Russian daily Izvestia.
"But the situation has been strongly and artificially pumped up. I can say that we have had no communication from any member of Liverpool."
Shakhtar Donetsk have already done a deal with a Premier League side, though, as Manchester City snapped up Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho at £30m earlier this summer.
In addition, they have also seen Razvan Rat depart for West Ham, with former Corinthians man Willian having moved to Russia to join Anzhi Makhachkala back in February.
And Palkin added: "Henrikh is an important player in our team. Shakhtar want to keep him, but we are willing to listen and consider all proposals for his transfer.
"We have already parted with Willian and Fernandinho, but the club will not just sell players. Soon we will also strengthen ourselves with quality players, designed to replace those who have left."
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