The Gunners may be about to make their second big money signing of the summer, and it’s not for Jamie Vardy.
Arsenal are believed to be in advanced talks with Borussia Dortmund to sign 27-year-old midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Arsenal had been interested in adding a creative winger with end product, with previous interest in Riyad Mahrez. But now the club have turned their attentions to the Dortmund star who scored 21 goals and made 20 assists in all competitions last season.
Mkhitaryan has always been a goalscoring midfielder, he netted 38 times in 72 games for Shakhtar Donetsk previously, but it is only since joining Dortmund where he has shown that ability in wide areas. Arsenal are thought to be searching for a new winger following poor performances from Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whilst Joel Campbell remains out-of-favour with the manager.
Mkhitaryan, if paired with Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez in an attacking three behind the striker, would be a pretty remarkable trio.
The bonus of this move is that Mkhitaryan is not playing at the Euros so will have the summer off and also negotiations will be uninterrupted.
The midfielder has flourished under Tuchel at Dortmund but is now keen on a move to England after the club failed to insert a release clause in a new contract.
Arsenal’s pursuit of the Armenian was boosted when it was revealed Dortmund put him up for sale to prevent them losing him on a free next summer.
Considering Alex Iwobi’s promotion to the first team and the possible arrival of Mkhitaryan, it is likely that at least one winger will make way. The favourites to leave currently are Campbell and Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The fee of £23.5million (€30million) represents a discount on his true value due to only one-year remaining on his contract. Arsenal will more than likely have to pay what Dortmund demand due to interest from several other clubs including Chelsea.