Liverpool Transfer News: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Shouldn't Listen to Shakhtar Donetsk

Henrikh Mkihitaryan shouldn't listen to Shakhtar Donetsk right now.

Why?

Because Shakhtar naturally has ulterior motives in urging him not to join Liverpool.

Skakhtar boss Mircea Lucescu said on Monday, via the Daily Mirror:

"

It is his decision, his desire, but there is still time for him to change his mind, because I think he is making a big mistake.

I can understand the urge to leave if he has a chance to go to a club that surpasses Shakhtar, like Barcelona or Real Madrid, but not many clubs are beyond our level - not clubs like Liverpool or Tottenham.

"

So, basically, it's his decision, but if he decides to leave for Liverpool, he's making a bad decision, according to Lucescu.

Granted, Lucescu has somewhat of a point. Liverpool isn't Barcelona, Real Madrid or a Premier League giant right now. 

On the other hand, the Ukrainian football league was ranked 15th in the world by Sporting Intelligence this year, while the Premier League was ranked second. Mkhitaryan may have scored a Ukrainian-record 25 goals last season, but he will be held in much higher regard if he scores 25 goals in the EPL.

It's no wonder the 24-year-old midfielder wants to join the Reds on a £25 million transfer: He wants to take his game to the next level, and he'll be playing against some of the greatest players in the world if he plays in the Premier League.

Not that Mkhitaryan is hanging on every word from Lucescu, but just in case, let me spell it out for him: D-O-N-apostrophe-T. Lucescu may think he's clever by saying it's Mkhitaryan's decision—as long as he joins a top-tier club—but I don't. Considering Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund are the top clubs pursuing the talented midfielder, that doesn't leave Mkhitaryan much room, does it?

Lucescu is understandably doing everything he can outside of begging to get Mkhitaryan to stay with Shakhtar. It shouldn't work, and it probably won't.

If Mkhitaryan knows what's good for him, he'll make a move to the Premier League, where he can continue to build his name and reputation in one of the top showcases in the world.