Liverpool are ready to splash £20million on main summer transfer target Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The Anfield club are close to tying up a big money deal for Armenia international Mkhitaryan, despite his Ukrainian club Shaktar Donetsk's high asking price.

Manager Brendan Rodgers will complete the deal for the attacking midfielder he has targeted for months with the blessing of his American owners.

Mkhitaryan was identified as the main summer signing as Rodgers wants a midfielder who can knit together his side's creative play while also providing a goal threat from behind the front line.

The Armenian fits the bill after attracting the attention of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid with his 25 goals from midfield this season.

The 24-year-old, who has just set a Ukrainian Premier League record for most goals in a season, signed with Italian super-agent Mino Raiola in May to facilitate his move to a top European club.

Rodgers has stolen a march on his rivals for the player's signature after sending his scouting team out to watch the midfielder a dozen times in the 2012-13 season.

That is why he is prepared to commit a sizeable part of his summer budget to the capture.

The Reds' boss has been guaranteed at least £35m to spend in this summer's transfer window.

Rodgers has already agreed in principle a £7million deal for Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas and Christian Benteke, whose 19 league goals in his first season with Aston Villa included two against Liverpool at Anfield in December, IS on his list of targets.

Source: Daily Mirror