According to Calciomercato, agent Mino Raiola is working hard with both Arsenal and Roma in an attempt to engineer a swap deal involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert.
It’s claimed that Raiola and his team have been working on the deal, even in ‘the last few hours’. The big sticking point appears to be Arsenal’s valuation of Mkhitaryan.
Roma are insisting that he isn’t worth as much as Kluivert, so want Arsenal to lower their valuation of him so they essentially receive cash plus Mkhitaryan for Kluivert.
A straight swap is not on the table in Roma’s eyes, so there is work to be done for Raiola and co. He represents both players, so has a big say in the situation.
Additionally, Calciomercato state that Kluivert has an offer worth €3.5million a year – around £60,000-a-week – on the table to join Arsenal.
Kluivert is thought to be keen on heading to the Premier League, and Arsenal now represent the most likely option given Roma’s interest in Mkhitaryan.
The Armenian spent this season on loan at Roma, and notched six goals and three assist in just 13 league games; hence their determination to keep him permanently.
Kluivert, 21, hasn’t quite lived up to his potential so far, but still has bags of talent and room to grow. Arsenal’s budget has been hit by the global pandemic, which is why they want to pull off this deal without parting wish cash – but they may have to if they really want the Dutchman.
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