HENRIKH MKHITARYAN has begged Arsenal to hash out a transfer agreement with Roma and insisted “my time in London is over”, according to reports in Italy.
The Gunners flop has spent this season on loan at the Serie A side and is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract with the North Londoners.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is said to have begged Arsenal to arrange a transfer agreement with Roma
The winger arrived at the Emirates in January 2018 as part of the swap deal with Manchester United involving Alexis Sanchez.
⚠️ Read our coronavirus in sport live blog for the latest news & updates
In 59 underwhelming appearances he only scored nine times and mustered just 13 assists before he was turfed out to Roma for a season-long loan.
The Armenian international has undergone a resurgence in the Italian capital – especially in front of goal, finding the back of the net six times in his 13 league matches.
Mkhitaryan is desperate to make his switch to Serie A a permanent deal.
And according to Corriere dello Sport, he told his employer: “My time in London is over, I hope you manage to find an agreement with Roma because my desire is to remain.”
The North London side have slashed their asking price to just £10million with the midfielder’s agent Mino Raiola pulling the strings on the proposed sum.
Mikel Arteta’s side lowered the fee in a bid to raise some cash for other transfer targets as they have been hit hard financially by the coronavirus crisis, with the majority of the squad accepting a 12.5 per cent pay cut.
Roma boss Paulo Fonesca is keen to tie Mkhitaryan down on a permanent deal as he feels he is a good character to have in the dressing room.
The 47-year-old told Corriere dello Sport: “He is a great man, he is extraordinary. I would like him to remain in Rome.”
The former Portugal international is also desperate to keep a hold of Manchester United’s Chris Smalling.
Smalling has been near-ever-present while on loan for Roma this term, playing 28 times, netting twice in the process.
Italian football chiefs are hoping Serie A will return in early June and top flight aces were back in training on Monday.
Man United, Arsenal and Chelsea transfer target Declan Rice could be sold as West Ham prepare for huge overhaul of squad
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
