Shakhtar Donetsk star Henrikh Mkhitaryan has signed with a new agent in the hope that he can secure a move away from the club this summer - with Liverpool said to be his first choice.

The 24-year-old has emerged as one of the outstanding players for the Ukrainian giants and is enjoying a sensational season in which he has managed to score 22 league goals in just 24 appearances.

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

Mkhitaryan has twice won the league with Shakhtar since arriving from Metalurh Donetsk where he had become the youngest captain in the club's history. He was signed for just $7.5million and has quickly established himself as the club's most influential player.

However, a report in the Metro states that the attacking midfielder has now signed with Italian super-agent Mino Raiola in a bid to secure a move away from Ukraine this summer.

Raiola has a number of high profile clients and has played an integral role in Zlatan Ibrahomivoch's career as he has brokered every deal for the Swedish striker.

He has also previously worked with Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers as he represents Moroccan winger Oussamma Assaidi who left Heerenveen in the summer to make the move to Anfield.

The Metro believe that Mkhitaryan has informed his new agent that he would like to join Liverpool in the summer, despite the fact they will not be able to offer him Champions League football, which he has had every season at Shakhtar.

Liverpool have struggled for goals from midfielders all season and Rodgers has made it clear that he will be looking to make a number of signings during the summer transfer window.

However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool would be able to come up with an offer suitable to convince Shakhtar to part with their prized asset.

The Ukrainian champions lost another one of their star players earlier this season when Willian joined mega-rich Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala but they did receive £30million for the Brazilian.