Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan in action for Armenia. [Reuters]

Liverpool are interested in signing Shakhtar Donetsk star Henrikh Mkhitaryan but it is unlikely that the club would be able to afford the attacking midfielder unless Luis Suarez is sold in the summer.

The Armenian enjoyed his most prolific season as he plundered some 25 league goals to help Shakhtar win yet another league title, while he also played a major role in them winning the Ukrainian Cup.

Mkhitaryan has won the title every season since he joined from Metalurh Donetsk some three years ago and has now begun to be noticed around Europe after some impressive performances in the Champions League.

Yesterday there were numerous reports that Liverpool would move for the attacking midfielder in the coming weeks but the Liverpool Echo reports that any deal would be dependent on money being raised from the sale of Suarez.

Liverpool hope to keep hold of the Uruguayan but should they decide that the money on offer is simply too good to refuse then they will look to accept an offer in the region of £50m.

The Reds had previously hoped to keep Fernando Torres at the club but after receiving an offer of £50m from Chelsea they decided to cash in as they already had a replacement in mind in Andy Carroll.

Reports suggest that if Suarez forces through a move then Liverpool will immediately turn their attention to signing Mkhitaryan and would hope that a bid of around £20m would force Shakhtar's hand.

Liverpool's current focus is to try and secure a deal for Celta Vigo's Iago Aspas and Schalke defender Kyriakos Papadopoulos as it is believed the money is already in place for both of these players.

Brendan Rodgers will also be desperate to keep hold of Daniel Agger who has been mentioned as a target for big spending French side Monaco.

The Denmark international has reportedly been earmarked as the man Monaco boss Claudio Ranieri wants at the heart of his defence but Liverpool are determined to keep him at the club after already losing Jamie Carragher.