Reds want Shakhtar star at Anfield.
Liverpool have indicated they are willing to meet the £20m release-clause of Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to the BBC.
The Reds reportedly want to make the Armenian international their marquee signing of the summer and are optimistic he can be persuaded to move to Anfield.
Mkhitaryan scored a record 25 goals in the Ukrainian league last season, and has also been linked with Serie A champions Juventus and Champions League finalists Borussia Dortmund.
However, with Dortmund closing in on a deal for Ajax playmaker Christian Eriksen and Juve focussed on landing a much-needed striker, the Merseysiders appear to be in pole position for the attacking midfielder.
Boss Brendan Rodgers believes Mkhitaryan will be a key element of his plans to add more goals to his Liverpool side next season.
The 24-year-old began his career in his homeland and scored 30 goals in 70 appearances for Pyunik before joining Metalurh Donetsk.
He was signed by fellow Ukrainians Shakhtar in August 2010 and has scored 28 goals in 72 league games for the club, including an impressed 25 in just 29 league outings last season.
Mkhitaryan made his international debut in January 2007 in a friendly against Panama and he has scored 11 goals in 38 appearances for his country to date, including a fine solo strike against Denmark last week:
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