Remember when a week after Liverpool began scouting a player, Tottenham representatives would put in a bid – seemingly out of habit…?
Well it’s now happening with their bitter rivals Arsenal, as well!
This week news emerged on Sky Sports that the Gunners had leapfrogged us in the pursuit of Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Granit Xhaka. Then, a story broke in the Independent that Liverpool would have to battle Arsenal for the signature of our priority target Mario Gotze in the summer as well. Now – the Guardian is claiming that Arsene Wenger has turned his attentions to superb Borussia Dortmund attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The 27-year-old Armenian was a well publicised Reds target back in 2013, but chose to move to join Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund instead. When Klopp joined Liverpool, stories in the Daily Mail emerged that our new manager would consider trying to bring Mkhitaryan to Anfield.
The player’s contract runs out in 2017, and the Guardian claim that he’s now deciding whether to renew his deal with Dortmund or make the Emirates switch on what will likely be hugely improved terms.
There’s absolutely no questioning Mkhitaryan’s ability, and it’s a crying shame he didn’t transfer to Liverpool previously. In all competitions this season he’s scored and assisted over 20 goals apiece – which is truly sensational from the flanks. Negating his threat will be crucial to our chances of Europa League progression.
It looks like Arsenal are in pole position for Xhaka and Mkhitaryan, but Gotze has reportedly set his heart on reuniting with Klopp – so any deal for the Bayern playmaker will completely ease the pain of missed deals.