Liverpool have identified Shakhtar Donetsk's Henrikh Mkhitaryan as a leading transfer target for the summer and are not deterred by the £22m price tag on one of the most coveted players in European football.

The Anfield club have registered their interest in the Armenia international, who scored a record 25 goals in the Ukrainian Premier League last season despite operating as an attacking midfielder.

Mkhitaryan put Europe's leading clubs on alert following Shakhtar's elimination from the Champions League by admitting he wanted to play for "one of the strongest clubs in the world", and the 24-year-old was subsequently linked with Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Liverpool, however, tracked the midfielder throughout last season and believe Mkhitaryan would consider a move to Anfield despite the lack of European football currently on offer and rival interest.

Source: The Guardian