Arsenal attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan arrives in Italy as deadline day Roma transfer close
Arsenal forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan is on the verge of a deadline day transfer to AS Roma, as the former Manchester United forward was spotted in Rome with a club scarf ahead of the deal.
The Gunners forward will leave the Emirates Stadium for a single season, with the Italians agreeing to take Mkhitaryan on loan, in their latest move for a Premier League star.
The loan deal won’t have an option, or obligation, to buy, and the Armenian will move back to Arsenal in July next year.
If Roma want to make the deal permanent, they’ll have to submit a fresh transfer bid for the Armenian.
Mkhitaryan was spotted heading to Roma ahead of his proposed loan deal from Arsenal
Mkhitaryan was spotted heading to Roma's facilities ahead of his proposed loan deal, and is having a medical at the club.
He was seen in the airport, having just landed from London, sporting an AS Roma scarf.
Mkhitaryan made just 19 starts in the Premier League last season, and has failed to convince Unai Emery that he should be part of the manager’s long-term plans.
He did, however, make a substitute appearance in Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham; a 2-2 draw at the Emirates.
Arsenal transfers: Mkhitaryan in Roma talks for deadline day loan move (Image: Twitter (ASRomaEN))
Roma will be hoping that Mkhitaryan can rediscover his prolific form that drew the attention of Manchester United in 2016.
He scored 11 goals in the 2015/2016 Bundesliga season for Borussia Dortmund, while also providing a league-high 15 assists.
He moved to United for £39million in 2016, spending 18 months at Old Trafford.
The attacking midfielder was part of the swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez move to United, while Mkhitaryan moved to Arsenal.
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Arsenal transfers: Mkhitaryan was spotted in Rome ahead of his loan deal (Image: Twitter (ASRomaEN))
Arsenal transfers: The Gunners bought Mkhitaryan from Man United in a swap deal for Alexis Sanchez (Image: GETTY Images)
Meanwhile, Roma have revitalised their squad for this season after disappointingly finishing in sixth place in Serie A last season.
They lost their Champions League place to Atalanta, who were the surprise package in the Italian league last year, for this season. (just changed order around a bit)
The club appointed former Shakhtar Donetsk manager Paulo Fonseca this summer, and he’s already been busy in the transfer market.
He’s made a number of loan signings, including United’s Chris Smalling, and Chelsea’s Davide Zappacosta.