Historic deals for young duo

For the purists, the transfer window is loathsome. It’s that time of the year when money, loads of it, pushes everything beautiful about football into the background. But sometimes, the much-criticised window, does bring in some great stories. This summer, the head hunters of European football have brought great joy to two nations ravaged by wars and in-fightings during much of their history. For the relatively new independent country of Montenegro and the post-Soviet nation Armenia, the transfer deals of Stevan Jovetic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan are historic. Former Shakhtar Donetsk star Mkhitaryan had already etched his name in the history books last year by becoming the first Armenian international to score in the Champions League. With silken moves and excellent passing ability the 24-year-old attacking midfielder was the creative hub of the team. His ability to slip into the box and score goals adds venom to his impressive technique. This season, the Armenian will ply his trade in the yellow and black stripes of Borussia Dortmund. When Bayern Munich acquired Mario Goetze, most saw it as the beginning of the dismantling of the impressive Dortmund side. However, the doomsayers forgot one thing — Goetze is not Dortmund’s lifeline, it is manager Jurgen Klopp. The German has built and re-built the squad to make Dortmund a name to reckon with. It’s not different this time either. Losing Germany’s most talented youngster to a rival is surely a blow, but in Mkhitaryan, Klopp sees his side’s future creative force. The 2013-14 season will surely be memorable for Armenians. Montenegro’s 23-year-old forward Jovetic, meanwhile, is on the verge of completing a deal from Fiorentina to Manchester City. Jovetic, a classy trequartista — the term Italians use for modern day playmakers — would become the first player from the independent Montenegro to play in Premier League. But he is not in EPL to just make up the numbers. Jovetic can play, in fact thrive, in the ‘hole’ just behind the striker and also as the ‘false nine.’ His dribbling skills, ball control and eye for goal had made him an almost indispensible player for the Viola — who finished fourth in the Italian league in 2012-13. With City chief executive Ferran Soriano and sporting director Txiki Begiristain emphasising the need to play attractive football, akin Barcelona, it isn’t surprising that the new manager Manuel Pellegrini is keen on bringing in the versatile Jovetic.