There had been strong talks between Arsenal and AS Roma over the swap deal of the Gunners loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert.
The expectations were sky-high when the midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan stepped on to the Emirates stadium as part of the swap deal between Manchester United. But the Armenian International hadn’t lived up to his best at the Emirates netting 9 times and assisting just 13 times in an underwhelming 59 appearances before being sent out on a loan move to AS Roma for one season.
The loanee spent a good time at the Italian capital exhibiting 6 goals and 4 assists in 17 appearances. As the loan period nearing its end, the 31-year old spoke about his future with the Gunners. It is seen that Mkhitaryan is happy at his current club and not interested in returning to the Emirates.
“Since the first day I arrived here in Rome, I feel very good at the club, in the city, and of course it would be nice to stay here.
He is desperate to make his switch to Serie A a permanent deal and has told his agent that, “My time in London is over, I hope you manage to find an agreement with Roma because my desire is to remain.”
AS Roma too is willing to make the playmaker’s stay permanent but the talks have been delayed only due to the fact that they can’t match the Gunner’s asking price.
The Gunners have agreed in a swap deal between Mkhitaryan and AS Roma’s winger Justin Kluivert, the son of Holland legend Patrick along with an asking price of £10million. Justin Kluivert is a former Ajax prodigy who landed in Rome for £15m two years ago. But he failed to fulfill the high hopes as he managed to find the back of the net only seven times in 27 appearances.
But the beliefs weren’t shattered as he’s only 21-year old and has a lot of room for improvement. Kluivert Jr can play on both wings and has also expressed his interest in the Premier League.
Mino Raiola is appeared to be the agent for both and has been negotiating to settle down a tolerable deal to meet the economic pressure caused by the pandemic.
It is seen that Paulo Fonseca, the manager of AS Roma is keen to keep another loanee Chris Smalling at the club and hence haggling to meet the asking price.
It can be believed that the two clubs could reach out to a final agreement in the upcoming days.
