Henrikh Mkhitaryan will move to Manchester United – the news was confirmed by Borussia Dortmund on their website. The Bundesliga giants noted that the Armenian midfielder had decided to part ways, and wished him all the best as he joins Manchester United for a much improved fee that the €27.5 million Dortmund paid for him, which is reportedly €40 million.
Manchester United are yet to confirm the news, much like the delay in announcing Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s signing a day after the Swede announced it himself. Similarly, Dortmund have decided to make the announcement in a rather passive-aggressive way noting that Mkhitaryan was joining fifth place in the EPL table, while also wishing him well in the Europa League.
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Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said “This transfer was a difficult balancing act: Manchester United have made us an offer of tremendous value. Had we knocked it back, the player [Mkhitaryan] would be free to move in 2017. We have the personnel issue postponed by only one year.”
Here is the statement Borussia Dortmund made on their website:
The paths of Borussia Dortmund and midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (27) separate this summer. BVB has complied; after intensive discussions, with the wish of the Armenian national team member, to join the fifth placed side in the English Premier League Table last season, Manchester United.
Borussia Dortmund wishes Henrikh Mkhitaryan all the best in both the Premier League and the UEFA Europa League for the coming season.
Mkhitaryan’s signing was a foregone conclusion
Manchester United had already inadvertently announced the signing of Mkhitaryan on their website earlier, as the online store was selling shirts with Mkhitaryan’s name on the back. The Armenian’s signing is the latest in the spree of big signings that Manchester United have made recently, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan now lining up for Jose Mourinho’s side.
The Armenian midfielder was one of the most creative midfielders in Europe last season, with 23 goals and 32 assists in 52 games for Borussia Dortmund last season. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic lining up in the centre-forward position last season, Mkhitaryan will surely dovetail well in attack for Manchester United next season.
However, this throws the future of Juan Mata into doubt, as Mourinho is not a fan of the Spaniard’s talents and plays in Mkhitaryan’s position.
