Atletico Madrid have reportedly dropped their interest in FC Barcelona midfielder Sergi Roberto, with the Spanish international on Arsenal’s radar ahead of the summer.
According to Sport via Barca Universal, the reigning La Liga champions are longer pursuing the versatile Barcelona star, with Roberto’s contract expiring at the end of this season and the 30-year-old Catalan set to leave his boyhood club after 16 years with the European giants.
With a reported release clause of €500m (£416m), Barcelona were never going to get anywhere remotely close to this fee this summer, and given Roberto’s high wage, Xavi Hernandez will likely be pleased that the midfielder is finally departing the Camp Nou.
Yet one club that won’t be signing the versatile Catalan is Atletico, who have seemingly taken their interest elsewhere, yet Arsenal reportedly do remain keen on Roberto as the midfielder heads for the exit at Barcelona.
ARA reported in February that Mikel Arteta is a fan of Roberto, who can play central midfield as well as right-back. And Atletico’s latest decision on the Barcelona star could push the Gunners to make a move.
Indeed, Roberto does oddly fit what Arsenal are looking for this summer, with the north London side eager to sign a backup right-back for Takehiro Tomiyasu as well as a midfielder to replace Mohamed Elneny and to bolster the rankings in the position.
Arsenal should steer clear of Roberto despite Atletico’s stance
Once called ‘marvellous’ by former Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, Roberto surprisingly fits the bill for what Arsenal need in a backup option this summer. However, given his wage and age, that alone should force Arteta to steer clear of the midfielder this summer.
After all, Arsenal won the transfer window last year after signing young players with high potential, a profile Roberto no longer fits. And although he will be a free agent, the Gunners’ last free signing in Willian was one of the club’s worst signings in recent memory.
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