Arsenal Dealt Blow As Chelsea Set To Make Offer For 32-Assist Transfer Target

The opening of the summer transfer window is fast approaching so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Arsenal and Chelsea are linked with Henrikh Mkhitaryan….

Arsenal have received a blow in their pursuit of Henrikh Mkhitaryan with Chelsea set to make a formal move for the Borussia Dortmund playmaker this summer, according to the Express.

Mkhitaryan has developed in to one of the most dangerous attackers in European football since joining Dortmund from Shakhtar Donetsk three years ago and has scored 23 goals and provided a further 30 assists in his 51 appearances this season alone.

The Armenian international’s future at the Westfalenstadion is in doubt as the Mirror reported earlier this week that with his contract due to expire in 2017, talks over an extension have stalled as Mkhitaryan  is refusing to sign a new deal unless a buyout clause is included in the contract.

Dortmund are refusing to bow to this demand as they’re determined not to be forced in to losing any more of their key players with Mats Hummels joining the likes of Mario Gotze and Robert Lewandowski in leaving the club in recent years.

It seems the uncertainty over his future has alerted clubs in the Premier League with the Express claiming that Chelsea are ready to renew their interest in signing the 27-year-old having missed out last year and will rival Arsenal for his signature this summer.

Arsene Wenger is ready to strengthen his squad this summer following a disappointing campaign and Mkhitaryan could be viewed as a potential replacement for Theo Walcott with the England international tipped to leave the Emirates after a poor campaign.

However, the Express suggest that incoming Chelsea boss Antonio Conte will be handed a huge transfer kitty by Roman Abramovich to revamp the Blues squad and the Italian is set to make a formal offer for Mkhitaryan over the coming weeks.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

If contract extension talks continue to stall then Dortmund may be forced to cash in on Mkhitaryan this summer or risk losing him for nothing in 12 months time and I think he’d be a sensational signing for either Arsenal or Chelsea.

His style of play would be well suited to the Gunners and he’d fit in seamlessly alongside the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates. However, I’m sure Chelsea will fight for his signature as he’d bring some much-needed creativity to an attack that’s looked short of ideas this season.