Liverpool are ready to splash £20million on main summer transfer target Henrikh Mkhitaryan... regardless of whether Luis Suarez gets his transfer or not, Mirror reported.

The Anfield club are close to tying up a big money deal for Armenia international Mkhitaryan, despite his Ukrainian club Shaktar Donetsk's high asking price.

Manager Brendan Rodgers will complete the deal for the attacking midfielder he has targeted for months with the blessing of his American owners, regardless of the uncertainty over the Suarez's future.

Mkhitaryan is not seen as a direct replacement for Uruguay striker Suarez, and was identified as the main summer signing long before Real Madrid came calling with an offer that has turned Suarez’s head.

Rodgers wants a midfielder who can knit together his side’s creative play while also providing a goal threat from behind the front line.

The Armenian fits the bill after attracting the attention of the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City, Barcelona, Juventus and Atletico Madrid with his 25 goals from midfield this season.

The 24-year-old, who has just set a Ukrainian Premier League record for most goals in a season, signed with Italian super-agent Mino Raiola in May to facilitate his move to a top European club.