Well, Arsenal clearly aren’t going to be signing Sergi Roberto this summer.
The 30-year-old is among the players who are out of contract with Barcelona next month.
In February, it was reported by ARA in Spain that Arsenal were monitoring his situation ahead of potentially signing him during the upcoming transfer window.
But Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano has some bad news for the Gunners’ hierarchy on this front.
Speaking to his own YouTube channel on Tuesday night, Romano has revealed that Roberto is on the brink of signing a new contract to extend his stay at Camp Nou by another year – and even accepted a pay cut on his current £170,000-a-week deal to do so.
He said: “Sergi Roberto is set to sign a new deal with Barca. It’s just a matter of final details and it’ll be completing. Sergi Roberto will accept a salary reduction with Barcelona and will sign for one more season. Everything is now set to be completed. The full-back will stay.”
Bad news
If Mikel Arteta or Edu genuinely wanted him then yes, it’s absolutely a blow for Arsenal.
The Spain international’s versatility is something that will have appealed to Arteta, with Roberto capable of playing midfield or right-back.
Arsenal might well need a right-back this summer, too.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has been brilliant, but there’s been whispers about Cedric Soares potentially leaving the Emirates Stadium.
And with Tomiyasu’s injury history this season, well let’s just say that a quality right-back to cover is essential for the Gunners.
However, if Romano is right, Arteta and Edu will have to look elsewhere imminently because Roberto, sadly, isn’t going to happen.
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