Henrikh Mkhitaryan has yet to complete his move to Manchester United, despite Borussia Dortmund indicating the deal was finalised.
Strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford all summer, the 27-year-old looked to have completed his move from the Bundesliga on Saturday afternoon.
Dortmund announced Mkhitaryan had joined Jose Mourinho’s side, but there remains some work to do before he officially becomes a United player.
A bid for the Armenia international – described as “enormously valuable” – has been accepted by the German side, but personal terms have yet to be agreed with the player.
Mkhitaryan also needs to pass a medical and secure a work permit before becoming United's third major summer signing under Mourinho, following on from the arrival of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Eric Bailly.
It does, though, appear a matter of when rather than if the deal is completed given Dortmund’s statement said they “complied with the wishes” of the Armenian in agreeing a deal with United.
Dortmund have not revealed the transfer fee for the former Shakhtar Donetsk playmaker but said United had made an “enormously valuable offer”.
Media reports this week suggested United had agreed a deal in the region of €30 million for Mkhitaryan, who had 12 months left on his contract with the Bundesliga outfit.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “Manchester (United) have made us an enormously valuable offer.
“Had we rejected it, the player would have been able to leave for free in 2017. And all we would have done is delay the issue for another year.”
Mkhitaryan, who joined Dortmund for €25 million from Shakhtar Donetsk in July 2013, scored 11 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances last season to help Dortmund finish runners-up behind Bayern Munich.
He also claimed a league-leading 15 assists, which was four more than the next-best player, Karim Bellarabi of Bayer Leverkusen.
Mkhitaryan has played 58 games for Armenia, scoring 17 times, according to Uefa.com statistics.
The Dortmund statement added: “Borussia Dortmund wishes Henrikh Mkhitaryan all the best for the coming season in both the Premier League and in the Uefa Europa League.”
The signing of the six-time Armenian Footballer of the Year continues United’s summer rebuilding under Mourinho, who replaced Louis van Gaal after a mixed 2015-16 campaign which saw the Red Devils win the FA Cup but only finish a disappointing fifth in the Premier League.
Ivory Coast defender Bailly joined the club last month from Villarreal in €30 million deal while on Friday United sealed the services of Ibrahimovic.
The 34-year-old striker, who recently called time on his Sweden career, was a free agent following his departure from Paris St Germain at the end of last term.
Ibrahimovic has signed a one-year contract with the option of a 12-month extension.
