Shakhtar Donetsk Confirm Borussia Dortmund Set to Sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Finally we're at an end in one of the more dramatic and topsy-turvy transfer sagas of the past few transfer windows, with Shakhtar Donestk rounding off another busy day of rumors by confirming that Henrikh Mkhitaryan is set to join Borussia Dortmund. Earlier today we heard reports that Dortmund representatives would be flying into the Ukraine to settle the deal, and a few minutes ago James Pearce from the Liverpool Echo tweeted that Liverpool would be turning attentions elsewhere with no successful resolution in sight.

From his Twitter earlier, which only built on growing talk that Liverpool would be left without their premier summer transfer target:

#LFC have admitted defeat in their bid to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Shakhtar have informed them he's on the brink of signing for Dortmund.

— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 5, 2013

It's not the news we were hoping for, but it's actual news in a deal that's contained mostly speculation and hearsay, as well as a number of reports that were either falsified or just plain wrong. I guess we can mourn the loss of a player Liverpool never really had, though there's little sense in doing so. Missing out on a talented player like Mkhitaryan is too bad, but Liverpool are left in the same position they were before they knew they wouldn't be getting him--trying to strengthen and move the club forward in both the short- and long-term.

That they'll be doing that without Henrikh Mkhitaryan is too bad, but it's not impossible.

Read More: Transfer Stream: Henrikh Mkhitaryan Set for Dortmund Switch