It’s now official- a deal for Henrik Mkitharyan between Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United has now been struck. According to the Associated Press, via FOX Sports, BVB have accepted United’s bid for the midfielder, and the club itself has since made an announcement confirming the move.
“Manchester United have made us a tremendously valuable offer. Had we rejected it, the player would be able to leave for free in 2017,” Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said in a club statement.
“Borussia Dortmund wishes Henrikh Mkhitaryan all the best for the coming season in both the Premier League and in the UEFA Europa League.”
Mkitharyan is the third signing of the Jose Mourinho era/summer of 2016. Defender Eric Bailly was the first and striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was unveiled just yesterday at the Carrington training ground, the second. Thus Mourinho has now brought in a player for every outfield position group this summer transfer window.
The most recent two, Mkitharyan and Ibrahimovic, share the same agent in Mino Raiola. That said, how does “Micki” fit in exactly?
He has experience on the wings, and Lord knows United have really failed lately in their transfer buys when it comes to winger, so depth is definitely needed at that position.
.@HenrikhMkh wechselt zu @ManUtd // Henrikh Mkhitaryan moves to Manchester United. Details to follow. pic.twitter.com/mFxTgZoS3J
— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) July 2, 2016
Mkhitaryan could be that fast, wide top class midfielder that Jose Mourinho seems to be looking for, and apparently prioritized on his summer shopping list. Now with the Armenian National Team Captain joining up at United, does that mean Bastian Schweinsteiger and/or Morgan Schneiderlin are out the door?
It will be interesting to see more dominoes fall now that this deal has been announced.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
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