Liverpool and Spurs Pay the Price

Shakhtar playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Catalan forward David Villa were heavily linked with Liverpool and Spurs respectively. Over the past few weeks the English clubs were considered favorites to land the mentioned targets, however they have ended up losing them.
Armenian international Mkhitaryan has signed for German club and Champions league runners up Dortmund. On the other hand the El Guaje has opted to stay in  La Liga and signed for Atletico Madrid lately for an absolute bargain of 5 million. It is no mystery why the merseysiders and North Londonders failed to lure these stars.
Liverpool and Spurs paid the price for Champions League qualification failure. Reportedly both British clubs were ready to pay the asking price for the mentioned players, however the attraction of the best club competition in the world did not help them.
Dortmund sold their star playmaker Mario Goetze to Bayern Munich and were looking for an attacking midfielder to replace the German. Mkhitaryan socred 25 goals from midfield last season and did fit the bill perfectly. Germans had the funds and lured Shakhtar’s starlet.
Spain’s leading goal scorer David Villa was finding it hard to start regularly for Barcelona who already have a star studded side and needed to leave in search of first team football. Spurs badly needed a striker and showed strong interest in the forward but eventually Atletico Madrid who qualified for Champions League with a third place finish in La Liga signed him.
With the World Cup coming up next year, it is important for Villa to play in the competition against the best team and players, something that Tottenham would not have offered in Europa League.
Liverpool have already signed four players but perhaps Mkhitaryan was considered to be most exciting signing. Meanwhile, Tottenham have lured a fantastic midfielder in Paulinho and are still in search for a top quality striker.
Nevertheless, all is not bad for both the clubs as the international transfer season has only just begun and there is enough time for them to sign potential quality alternatives. Who will they be, we shall find out.
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