Chelsea Transfer Rumours: Why Henrikh Mkhitaryan Would Be a Logical Signing

After their FA Cup semifinal exit at the hands of Manchester City, it has become clear that Chelsea still require a few new faces to arrive at Stamford Bridge, with the club also desperate to remove the dead wood.

But the problem currently dividing opinion is defining just who is surplus to requirements at the West London club. Of course, referring to the likes of Paulo Ferreira, Florent Malouda and Yossi Benayoun, there can be no doubt that their Stamford Bridge careers are coming to a close.

However, with no contract currently offered to veteran midfielder Frank Lampard, the future of the 34-year-old is uncertain. And with MLS outfit Los Angeles Galaxy reported to be keen to offer Lampard a lucrative deal to take him to the USA, this season could be his last in Chelsea colours.

The fans are desperate for the former West Ham midfielder to extend his stay by another season with a deal similar to that of his England teammate Ashley Cole, who signed a renewed deal until 2014 earlier this year.

So with Lampard looking set for the exit from Fulham Road, it will be a difficult task for the incoming Chelsea manager to replace him. Sometimes, though, when you're looking for something, you can't see that it is right there in front of you. And with Henrikh Mkhitaryan impressing with Shakhtar Donetsk, it seems that it could definitely be the case for Roman Abramovich.

Armenian star Mkhitaryan is about as close to Lampard as Chelsea may be able to get in today's transfer market, and for a decent price, too.

Because for all of the money they may have—funded by Ukrainian oilgarch Rinat Akhmetov—the Ukrainian side tend to make shrewd purchases, focusing on the domestic leagues of Brazil and former Soviet states such as Russia and, of course, Ukraine.

A great exhibition of the excellent scouting network at the Ukrainian club is Brazilian international Willian, who was signed for £11 million in 2007 and sold for a club record £35 million to Anzhi Makhachkala in January 2013.  

It's no surprise, then, that they invested heavily in the young player from Armenia, snatching him from under the noses of city rivals Metalurg Donetsk just a year after he joined them.

Arguably the small country's finest export since its declaration of independence in 1992, Mkhitaryan moved to Metalurg in 2009 for a fee of just €300,000, ending a 14-year association with Pyunik Yerevan, a club which he joined as a six-year-old boy. 

He made his senior debut at international level at the tender age of just 18, and since then has an impressive record, netting 10 goals in just 36 appearances for his nation. He is just one strike away from equaling Artur Petrosyan's record tally of 11 as the all-time goalscorer, and given his current form, there is no doubt he can do it.

Despite playing in an advanced midfield position, Mkhitaryan has been in superb form this season, netting a total of 25 goals in 34 games for the Ukrainian champions, including a Lionel Messi-esque return of 23 in 23 in the domestic league.

And his displays in the Champions League, including that in the 2-1 defeat of Chelsea in Donetsk, have drawn the attention of the club's chief scout Piet de Visser, as well as their rivals Liverpool, AC Milan and Barcelona, according to Mirror Football.

What he lacks in pace Mkhitaryan makes up for with an elegant style; his passing ability is second to none, and his ability to strike the ball venomously with either foot allows him to play anywhere across the midfield position, and even as a second striker.

It would be perhaps a gamble in many observers' eyes, as Mkhitaryan's career has been based mainly in Russia and Ukraine, which is significantly lower in quality in comparison to Serie A or the Premier League. 

On the other hand, his class and quality is evident, regardless of what league he plays in. And in addition to this, he scored twice this season in eight Champions League appearances as Shakhtar reached the knockout stages.

Nevertheless, should Lampard decide to leave this summer, the Armenian star should be one of the names considered to make the switch to London.

Even with interest from both Milan clubs, the friendship between Shakhtar's Akhmetov and Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich could be the advantage required to seal a deal, with Mkhitaryan said to be willing to push through a deal if needed.

If it does materialize, it could be the making of one very special player who is already rising in world football.