Roma line up Pedro as ‘Arsenal-bound’ Kluivert’s replacement

AS Roma are expected to sign Chelsea’s Pedro on a free transfer this summer to replace Justin Kluivert who is headed to Arsenal according to La Repubblica via Forza Roma. 

We reported earlier this week that Arsenal were considering a player swap with Roma involving Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Justin Kluivert. It is understood that negotiations between the two clubs and Mino Raiola, the agent of both players, are ramping up as all parties look to get this deal over the line.

Arsenal are said to value Mkhitaryan at £16 million and Roma believe Kluivert is worth just under £36 million. It is being reported that Arsenal will have to pay £19.7 million in addition to sending Mkhitaryan in the other direction to bring Justin Kluivert to North London. 

Mkhitaryan has impressed on loan at Roma this season. He has scored 6 goals and provided 3 assists in 13 Serie A games this season. AS Roma manager Paulo Fonseca is keen on securing the permanent transfer of the Armenian attacker. 

Kluivert has been a regular starter for Roma this season. He has scored 7 goals in 27 games across all competitions this season. This is not the first time the Dutch attacker has been linked with a move to the Premier League. He reportedly rejected a move to Manchester United in favour of signing for AS Roma when he departed Ajax in 2017.