Liverpool’s move for Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been cast in doubt after it emerged the player is not solely owned by the Ukranian club.
The Reds have been strongly linked with the highly-rated 24-year-old and are reported to have booked a medical ahead of the proposed deal.
However, it has come to light that Shakhtar only own 50% of the player’s rights, with the other half owned by two Armenian businessmen.
Super-agent Mino Raiola, who was signed as Mkhitaryan’s representative, is well known for negotiating big money deals on behalf of his clients, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli
However, Russian website Sport-Express’ editor Artur Petrosyan insists Mkhitaryan is not interested in money and is keen on a move to Merseyside this off-season, according to football411.com.
“He [Mkhitaryan] does want to join #LFC but can do nothing in this situation. Being a hostage in what’s going on,” Petrosyan tweeted on his personal Twitter account.
“It’s not him who makes things complicated, it’s #Shakhtar and his rights’ owners. They simply want a bigger offer. Dunno exactly how much.
“As for Mino Raiola, he’s not really on the player’s side, he’s on his owners’ side. He was hired to help make the best possible deal.
“Henrikh never really cared about money, playing football on the highest level is the only thing he wants.”
Mkhitaryan was preparing to fly to England for a medical earlier in the week, but those plans were put on hold by the confusion over negotiations, according to Daily Mirror.
A spokesman said on Thursday night: “There are no plans for a medical for the player.”
