Mkhitaryan stalemate rolls on

Shakhtar Donetsk CEO Sergei Palkin says there have been no new offers tabled for in-demand Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Mkhitaryan has been heavily linked with a move to English Premier League side Liverpool throughout the transfer window, as Brendan Rodgers attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for top honours.

Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund have earmarked the midfielder as the ideal replacement for Mario Goetze, but the Bundesliga outfit have already had a bid turned down.

Mkhitaryan, who netted 25 goals for the Ukrainian champions last season, has refused to report for pre-season training as the transfer saga drags on.

But despite the 24-year-old’s unhappiness, Palkin claims no new offers have been made, while he has also quashed rumours of a reported release clause of 22 million euros.

“There is nothing new about Mkhitaryan,” Palkin told Ukrainian website Football.ua.

“I already have said that Borussia Dortmund offered 23 million euros for him; this was the sole offer (but) our position is 30 million euros.

“Mkhitaryan’s contract does not specify a compensation payment. Thirty million dollars needs to be paid to sever the contract unilaterally.

“If we go with the civilised way and sell a player but he severs the contract, we specify a transfer value of 30 million euros (25 million pounds).”

Mkhitaryan has won seven trophies with Shakhtar since joining Mircea Lucescu’s men from Ukrainian rivals Metalurh Donetsk in 2010.