Rome boss tells Arsenal transfer plans for outcast Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Roma manager Paulo Fonseca says he wants to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan permanently from Arsenal this summer.

The Armenian addressed the Italian capital in a loan agreement from the Gunners throughout the season in the summer.

Mkhitaryan struggled to qualify at Arsenal or Manchester United before that, but has proven to be a success at Stadio Olympico.

He has racked up six goals in 20 games as Roma pursues a place in next season’s Champions League.

And Fonseca told him Russian TV show ‘Great football’ who wants to keep the 31-year-old man in Rome.

“I want him to stay and he wants to stay too,” says Fonseca.

“However, it should be clear that everything is on hiatus now, and we will have to speak to Arsenal.”

“I want to continue working with him because he is a great player and a great man.”

The 31-year-old had his season hampered by injuries, albeit with back problems, meaning he missed 16 games.

Serie A clubs have more than 10 games to play before the season ends with the Coronavirus pandemic suspension games since March.

Rome paid an initial loan fee for Mkhitaryan, but it will take around £ 22 million to secure his services.

The Italian club does not want to pay more than £ 15 million for the midfielder, which means he can extend his loan for another 12 months.

However, Arsenal is set for a summer overhaul when Mikel Arteta shapes his squad in the Emirates.

It could mean that Rome secured Mkhitaryan’s signing in a reduced price deal with the Gunners, no doubt willing to raise funds for the Spanish.

The Armenian scored nine times in 58 appearances for the north side of London.