Man Utd edging closer to Mkhitaryan deal

With the potential to turn into one of this summer's most exhausting transfer sagas, Manchester United's interest in Henrikh Mkhitaryan is generating multiple new reports every day.

Today, German newspaper Bild reports that a deal may finally be edging closer, as United have upped their bid for the Armenian playmaker to €36 million, but this still falls short of Borussia Dortmund's €40 million valuation, and the German club are being stubborn in their refusal to back down.

Mkhitaryan only has one year remaining on his contract with BVB, and the club have already confirmed that they were unable to come to an agreement over a renewal with the player. They had been staunch in their belief that Mkhitaryan would be retained next season, regardless of the potential financial loss of missing out on a transfer fee.

But that stance seems to have softened slightly, with reports recently suggesting that Dortmund would in fact be willing to part ways with Mkhitaryan, but only if a prospective suitor stumps up €40 million.

With replacements now being considered, it appears that the Black and Yellows are resigned to losing Mkhitaryan, and the boost of star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's potential move to Manchester City having broken down will be a considerable consolation.

Mkhitaryan's agent, Mino Raiola, has reiterated his client's desire to move to Old Trafford several times in the press this week, insisting that the United is his "dream club".

With the Red Devils' latest bid within €4 million of Dortmund's valuation, it seems a deal could soon be reached.