Manchester United Transfer News: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Wanted Amid Arsenal Rumours

Manchester United are to reportedly rival Arsenal in pursuit of Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer.

The Armenia international’s future has been cause for plenty of debate, with his contract due to expire at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.

According to Bundesliga pundit and former Norway international Jan Aage Fjortoft, the Gunners will now face competition from United if they’re to land the BVB man:

According to Bild (Sport Witness), Dortmund were keen to keep their star playmaker at the club for another season, even if it meant losing him on a free transfer come his contract’s end. But it’s been reported that they are "losing desire" to stop him leaving this summer.

That would be a boost to United and Arsenal if they are indeed keen to bring him to the Premier League. Here is a look at why Mkhitaryan was considered among the best players in the Bundesliga last season:

Squawka Football broke down what was a pretty spectacular year for the player on the domestic front:

After a poor 2014-15, the campaign just gone was quite unexpected from the former Shakhtar Donetsk man. Manager Thomas Tuchel gave Mkhitaryan the freedom to express himself in the final third, with his intricate talents an effective foil for the incision of men such as Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

It was the first time since his move from the Ukrainian outfit that the 27-year-old has produced consistently. With the ball at his feet, he was always a threat, whether driving at defenders, jinking through tight spaces or unpicking opponents with intelligent passing. 

For BVB, those attributes would make him a tough man to replace. But as noted by Greg Johnson of Squawka Football, it seems as though there is set to be a major shakeup in squad personnel at Dortmund this summer, of which Mkhitaryan could be a part:

Arsenal’s interest would certainly be understandable. For long spells of the season, manager Arsene Wenger didn’t have a regular presence on the right flank, and it’s a position from which Mkhitaryan did a lot of damage last term with his clever darts infield. His technical abilities would also allow the Armenian to slot into the Arsenal setup easily.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

United’s reported interest also makes sense. New manager Jose Mourinho is a coach who targets multifaceted footballers, and for all of Mkhitaryan’s attacking quality, that’s what he is. Defensively, the Dortmund man is happy to put a shift in, averaging 1.7 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game in the German top flight last season.

These numbers from WhoScored.com show that for a team who like to press high up the pitch, Mkhitaryan can be as effective off the ball as he is on it:

Both clubs are relying on Dortmund to soften their stance on the player if he is to move on. The Westfalenstadion outfit have shown a willingness to stand firm before and have been stung by players jumping ship. So perhaps this time, with what would possibly be a significant fee to be recouped, they may well give in.

Mkhitaryan would improve any team in the Premier League and has a more diverse array of qualities than any attacking midfielder in the division—perhaps only alongside Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne. So if Arsenal leave the door ajar at all in pursuit of the player, United must ensure they barge straight through.