Arsenal transfer news: Henrikh Mkhitaryan close to leaving Borussia Dortmund for Gunners, say reports

The 27-year-old has forced Dortmund’s hand this summer after turning down improved terms

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has rejected a contract extension from Borussia Dortmund (Getty)

Arsenal appear increasingly likely to sign Borussia Dortmund’s combative Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the coming weeks despite interest from across the continent.

The 27-year-old has forced Dortmund’s hand after turning down improved terms at the Westfalenstadion following the Bundesliga club’s refusal to install a release clause into his contract.

Mkhitaryan has one year remaining on his existing deal with Dortmund, prompting Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager, into considering a £25m offer to lure him to north London.

The Sun report that Wenger has prioritised adding midfield cover to his squad this summer as he looks to repair the damage done from a disappointing campaign in the Premier League. Liverpool and Sevilla are among the clubs considered to also harbour an interest in the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder.

Aware that previous frugality in the transfer market has caused upset among the Emirates crowd, Arsenal have moved quickly this time around and hope to secure Mesut Özil, Héctor Bellerín and Alexis Sánchez on new terms following the £30m acquisition of Granit Xhaka from Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Wenger also remains optimistic of signing record-breaking striker Jamie Vardy from Leicester City after they met his £20m release clause last week.

Vardy propelled the Foxes to an unlikely title triumph last season with 24 goals while also breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record by scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League matches.

The 29-year-old is considering his options while on international duty with England at the European Championship and has made the Gunners aware that he is unlikely to reply to their three-year £120,000-a-week offer until after the tournament.