Quantcast
Home   >   Transfer News   >   Arsenal handed boost in pursuit of 53 goal/assist attacker

Arsenal handed boost in pursuit of 53 goal/assist attacker

By on May 10, 2016

According to the Mirror, Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Henrikh Mkhitaryan after his contract talks with Borussia Dortmund collapsed.

Mkhitaryan has just one year remaining on his current deal and has been in discussions with Dortmund over an extension for some time.

The German giants are desperate to tie him down to fresh terms after an impressive season that’s seen the Armenian international score 23 times and provide a sensational 30 (thirty!) assists in all competitions.

That means the 27-year-old has contributed directly to 53 goals this season alone, which makes him one of the most dangerous attackers in European football and the numbers are freighting when you consider he’s only an attacking midfielder and not even a striker.

So it’s no surprise then that Dortmund want to secure his long-term future, however, the Mirror claim that negotiations have hit a road bump over the inclusion of a buyout clause.

The paper suggests that Mkhitaryan is demanding a buyout fee be included in his new deal but Dortmund are refusing on the grounds they don’t want to be forced in to selling anymore of their key players.

Mario Gotze famously moved to Bayern Munich after they triggered his release clause and Dortmund have been reluctant to include such clauses ever since, with the club renegotiating Marcos Reus’ and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contracts to have their buyout clauses removed.

So unless Mkhitaryan backs down and agrees a new deal without a clause included, it seems Dortmund may be forced to sell the attacker this summer or risk losing him for nothing in 12 months time.

The Mirror claim Arsenal are among the clubs keen on offering him a fresh start and I’m sure I’m not the only one who’d love to see him come to the Emirates this summer.

With Theo Walcott expected to leave after a poor season, Mkhitaryan could be the ideal replacement. He’s capable of playing anywhere across the front three attacking positions but he’s mainly been used out on the right-wing at Dortmund this season.

A front three of Sanchez, Ozil and Mkhitaryan behind a top class striker would be a mouthwatering prospect next season so fingers crossed we really push for his signature if he’s made available this summer.

One Comment