Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants permanent AS Roma move, says Paulo Fonseca

Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has made his mark at Roma
REUTERS
George Flood29 April 2020

Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to remain at AS Roma beyond his current loan spell, according to Giallorossi coach Paulo Fonseca.

The former Manchester United playmaker completed a season-long switch to the Stadio Olimpico in September 2019 and impressed before last month's coronavirus-enforced suspension of Serie A, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.

Mkhitaryan is out of contract at Arsenal next summer and Roma boss Fonseca has previously outlined his desire to secure a permanent transfer.

He reiterated that wish during a recent interview with Great Football in Ukraine, revealing the player also wants to stay on a full-time basis.

However, the Covid-19 shutdown has caused great uncertainty with regards to the transfer window, with clubs in the Premier League expecting a delay on deals until at least late August.

According to Fonseca, Roma are yet to discuss a permanent deal for Mkhitaryan with Arsenal, with their initial loan agreement not containing an option or obligation to buy.

“I’ve already said it and I’ll say it again: I want Mkhitaryan to stay. Henrikh also wants to stay," said the Portuguese.

“However, it must be said that everything is on pause right now. We still need to talk to Arsenal.

“I want to keep working with him. He’s a great player and a great man.”

Unai Emery was in charge at Arsenal when Mkhitaryan - who joined the Gunners in January 2018 as part of a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez head to Manchester United - was sent out on loan and successor Mikel Arteta has previously suggested that he could look to keep the Armenian international at the Emirates.

"It’s a possibility that we have and will consider,” Arteta said in March.

“I always liked him, he is the kind of player who can fit in any team when he is at his best.

“He needs to do it consistently and here he had moments and that’s what we need to assess.

“Miki is doing really well in recent games. We know the player he’s been, we know his past, and we need to have all the information to make the right decision.”

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