Manchester United Transfer News: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Boost Amid Latest Rumours

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan "wants to go to Manchester United" this summer, according to his agent Mino Raiola.

As reported by the Times (h/t Jonathan Green of the Daily Star), the representative has stated that despite Dortmund having insisted the player is going nowhere, even with just one year remaining on his contract with BVB, he thinks they’ll change their stance.

“He wants to go to Manchester United and we are still trying to resolve the situation,” said Raiola.

According to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror, the Red Devils have already had a bid of £19 million rejected for the Armenia international, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea.

It’s an amount that’s not a true reflection of the player’s quality, as he emerged as one of the most effective attacking players in the Bundesliga during the 2015-16 season.

Here is a look at why United boss Jose Mourinho would be keen to have the playmaker as part of his squad for next term:

It’s not all been plain sailing for Mkhitaryan at the Westfalenstadion. In his three seasons so far, he was inconsistent in the first, poor in the second and eventually—under the astute guidance of manager Thomas Tuchel—excelled in the third.

While Dortmund may have finished the season empty-handed in terms of silverware, there were times when they played some of the most thrilling football in Europe. Mkhitaryan, with his intelligence on the ball, intuitive movement and willingness to commit opposition defenders, was the fulcrum for their finest creative play.

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In terms of making and scoring goals, the former Shakhtar Donetsk man was outstanding. IB Times’ Prads Muthanna provided statistics to show why he’d potentially be one of the signings of the summer:

While Mkhitaryan and his agent may be willing to make the switch to Old Trafford to work under Mourinho, Dortmund have shown in the past they’re not a club that’ll be dictated to in the transfer market.

They’ve been in scenarios previously where players have a solitary year left on their contract; star striker Robert Lewandowski memorably let his deal run down before joining Bayern Munich on a free transfer. So despite Mkhitaryan’s eyes wandering towards Manchester, if Tuchel thinks there is merit in keeping him around for another season, the club will likely stand firm.

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Dortmund have sold off some key men this summer already, and, as noted by sports journalist Liam Canning, as well as speculation over Mkhitaryan, other players are linked with moves:

The searing pace of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and the direct wide play of Marco Reus have been hallmarks of this Dortmund side. But Mkhitaryan emerged as the most important player in the team last season. It’s why the club are most likely taking such an obdurate stance on his situation, even if it means keeping him for one more year and missing out on a substantial fee.

For Mourinho’s United, he’d be a fine acquisition. Mkhitaryan meshes his attacking qualities with a willingness to work hard off the ball, traits the Portuguese always demands from his forward players.

If the Red Devils can get the Dortmund man on board, it would refresh their attacking play, although if their past history is anything to go by, the Bundesliga side will be tough negotiators.