Report: Arsenal tell Roma to pay £18.5million for Henrikh Mkhitaryan

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Italian outlet CalcioMercato have claimed that Roma will have to stump up £18.5million to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer from Arsenal – after the Italian club’s manager confirmed he wanted to keep the attacker.

Mkhitaryan, 30, joined Roma on loan until the end of the season – in a deal that did not include a permanent clause. He struggled to begin with, as he coped with injuries and adapting to a new country.

However, the Armenia international has now rediscovered his form – scoring five goals in 12 Serie A outings. On Sunday afternoon, he scored and created another striker as Roma beat Lecce 4-0 – prompting comments from his manager after.

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca told Sky Sports: “Let’s see. He is a player with great decisions on the pitch and I would also like to keep Mkhi in our team,” when asked about a permanent move. Now, Roma have been reportedly told how much to pay.

Indeed, Arsenal value Mkhitaryan at £21million – but given Roma paid £2.5million to take him on loan, it is believed Arsenal would only require a fee of £18.5million from Roma.

TBR’s view – Should Arsenal cash in, or give another chance?

Mikel Arteta’s blueprint since taking over at Arsenal is to bring through the younger players – and with Mkhitaryan turning 31 in the summer, he is simply not going to be used ahead of the likes of Bukayo Saka or Emile Smith-Rowe.

If The Gunners can get as much as £18.5million for his services, given he is now well into his thirties, then the Arsenal board have got to snap Roma’s hand off and sanction a move.