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Arsenal attacker issues transfer request despite Mikel Arteta 'always liking' him
Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to join Roma on a permanent basis.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan says ‘it would be nice to stay’ at Roma
Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed his desire to join Roma on a permanent basis. The Armenia international joined Paulo Fonseca's side for the remainder of the season in September and clearly likes his new surroundings.
Mkhitaryan has been plagued by injuries during his loan spell, but has still proven useful by chipping in with six goals and three assists in 17 appearances.
Manager Fonseca has made no secret of his desire to keep the 31-year-old attacker at the Stadio Olimpico.
“I want him to stay and he also wants to stay,” Fonseca told Russian TV show Great Football.
“However, it should be clear that everything is now on hiatus, and we’ll have to talk to Arsenal.
“I want to continue working with him because he’s a great player and a great man.”
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And now Mkhitaryan has opened up on his wish to stay in Italy, although he would prefer a permanent switch.
"Of course I would like to be at Roma next season, not only next season but for another few years," Mkhitaryan said on the Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast.
"But I still have a contract with Arsenal and it’s not up to me. It’s up to Arsenal and Roma if they will agree on terms of the transfer fee.
"So my thinking is to train hard, to play hard, to look forward to what’s going to happen.
"Of course, if I’m not going to stay at Roma I have to go back to Arsenal.
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"I’m not complaining, football life changes so quickly so you have to be ready to play wherever you are.
"If not in Rome, I’m going to go back and play for Arsenal, if not, I’m going to stay here and play for Rome."
However, Mkhitaryan could potentially find it tricky to leave in the summer with Mikel Arteta claiming in March that he would consider the winger in his future plans.
“I always liked him,” said Arsenal’s head coach. “He is the kind of player who can fit in any team when he is at his best, he needs to do it consistently and that's what we need to assess.
“It's a possibility that we have and will consider.”