Tottenham look to hijack Liverpool’s deal for Shakhtar midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan [Sky Italy]

So that’s why Henrikh Mkhitaryan was spotted in a London hotel on Wednesday! Maybe!

Rumours emerged early on Friday morning, via Sky Italy, that Tottenham are now looking to muscle in on Liverpool’s move for Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Liverpool had been heavily linked with the free scoring Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder last week, with reports even suggesting Mkhitaryan was heading to Anfield a medical.

Alas for Liverpool, those rumours failed to come to fruition and the future of Henrikh Mkhitaryan looks set to be a running transfer saga this summer.

Earlier this week, Borussia Dortmund joined the race as Shakhtar admitted they had no idea where Mkhitaryan was.

Anzhi Makhachkala are also thought to be interested in a goal scoring midfielder with a a release clause of €23m.

Tottenham are believed to have made contact with Italian super-agent Mino Raiola via the new director of football at White Hart Lane, Franco Baldini.

You would imagine Sky Italy would have good contacts with at least one of Raiola or Baldini. Probably the former.

Whether Tottenham will spend (relatively) big on another midfielder with their move for Corinthians midfielder Paulinho all but done, seems unlikely.

Whilst Liverpool now have plenty of competition for Mkhitaryan, it does appear the Armenian is keen to play Premier League football.

Due to ownership issues, Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s move from Shakhtar could really drag and this rumour could well be one of his agents hoping to up the bid or flush out potential suitors.