Sergei Palkin insists there has been no contact from Brendan Rodgers’ side but admits he club would be open to selling the 24-year-old midfielder this summer

Shakhtar Donetsk chief executive Sergei Palkin insists the club have received no bids from Liverpool for Henrikh Mkhitaryan but concedes he is willing to listen to offers for the midfielder.

Reports had suggested that Brendan Rodgers’ side are closing in on a €23 million deal for the 24-year-old Armenia international, who scored 25 league goals for the Ukrainian champions last season.

Following the departures of Willian to Anzhi Makhachkala in February, and Fernandinho to Manchester City earlier this month, Palkin claims Shakhtar want to keep Mkhitaryan at the club but would also consider selling the midfielder this summer.

“As you know, there have been too many different conversations about Henrik Mkhitaryan,” Palkin told Russian newspaper Izvestia.

“But the situation has been strongly and artificially inflated. I can say that we have had no communication from any member of Liverpool.

“Henrikh is an important player in our team. Shakhtar want to keep him but we are willing to listen and consider all proposals for his transfer.

“We have already parted with Willian and Fernandinho but the club will not just sell players. Soon we will also strengthen ourselves with quality players, designed to replace those who have left.”