YEREVAN, DECEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: Arsenal and Liverpool face an uphill battle to pry transfer target Henrikh Mkhitaryan away from Borussia Dortmund as the Bundesliga club struggle to line up a replacement. Armenpress reports, citing Express.co.uk that Mkhitaryan has been linked with a move to the Premier League, with Liverpool particularly interested in the Armenian international.

Any sale from Dortmund's end relies on a replacement coming in - widely thought to be AC Milan's Stephan El Shaarawy. But the 22-year-old's agent and brother, Manuel El Shaarawy, has come forward to deny his player is leaving the San Siro.

Manuel told calcionews24: "The transfer rumors are not true. Stephan's Rossonero future has never been in question. And I have not been contacted by any other club. Stephan's mood is good, he just lacks in scoring a bit. His performances have always been positive. He's concentrated on doing well and finding continuity.”

With Mkhitaryan all but crossed off Brendan Rodgers and Arsene Wengers' wish lists, the two managers are set to concentrate on other midfield targets.

The Gunners are set to bid £26million for Barcelona's Pedro, while the Reds are chasing Tottenham's Christian Eriksen.