Arsenal attacker may leave on loan again because of Mino Raiola: report

Arsenal attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan could join AS Roma on loan for the second season running, a report from Calciomercato claims.

The Armenian joined the Giallorossi on a temporary basis in August and he has since missed 16 games due to different injury setbacks.

He has still managed six goals and four assists from 20 appearances for the Italian outfit and they are said to be keen on retaining his services.

According to Calciomercato, the Gunners are said to demand £22m (€25m) from Roma, if they want to sign Mkhitaryan on a permanent deal at the end of the season.

However, the Serie A side are reluctant to meet the price tag after witnessing the forward’s fitness concerns during the course of the current campaign.

It is added that agent Mino Raiola will look to convince the Gunners to accept another temporary deal for his client with Roma, with the option to buy next summer.

Mkhitaryan’s contract with Arsenal expires at the end of next season and the hierarchy would definitely prefer to sanction his sale, suppose he is not in the plans of Mikel Arteta.

Still, the Gunners may find it difficult to command the asking price with the current financial situation and another temporary exit could be a possibility for the 31-year-old, provided the club can renew his contract for another 12 months to preserve his transfer value.