No Liverpool bid for Mkhitaryan

Shakhtar Chief Executive Sergei Palkin has insisted that he has had no contact from the Anfield side but accepts that the club would be willing to sell the 24-year-old midfield star this summer.

Reports had suggested that Liverpool were closing in on a €23 million deal for the 24-year-old Armenia international, who scored 25 league goals for the Ukrainian champions last term.


Following the departures of Willian and Fernandinho to Anzhi Makhachkala and Manchester City respectively, Shakhtar would want to keep hold of Mkhitaryan at the club but would also consider his move away if the right offer is provided.


"As you know, there have been too many different conversations about Henrikh Mkhitaryan," Palkin told Russian newspaper Izvestia.


"But the situation has been strongly and artificially inflated. I can say that we have had no communication from any member of Liverpool.


"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."


Liverpool will have to make a quick decision on the move before any other interested parties join the race.