Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
‘Sterling 2.0 incoming’, ‘cannot miss this opportunity’: Some Arsenal fans excited by report
A number of Arsenal fans have been giving their thoughts on Twitter regarding the reported potential swap deal involving Gunners man Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Roma ace Justin Kluivert.
Mkhitaryan has been on Arsenal’s books since joining from Manchester United in 2018 but has spent the majority of the 2019-20 season on loan at Roma, where Dutch winger Kluivert currently plies his trade.
With funds expected to be tight both at the Emirates Stadium and at the Stadio Olimpico this summer, big-money moves aren’t likely to be on the agenda – loan deals, free transfers, youngsters and bargains are more likely to be pursued instead.
Part-exchange and swap deals could also be on the cards, and according to , talks have taken place between Arsenal and Roma over the possibility of such an arrangement, with Mino Raiola mediating as the agent of both players.
The Italian outlet claims Arsenal could spend between €35m to €40m (£31m to £36m) for Kluivert, while Roma could pay €12m to €14m (£11m to £12.5m) to sign Mkhitaryan permanently, which means the Gunners would be shelling out between £18.5m and £25m plus Mkhitaryan for Kluivert.
With the North Londoners reportedly having little money to play around with in the market this summer, the prospect of a fee up to around £25m for a 21-year-old attacker that claimed “can become one of the best players on the planet” and “will be king”, plus getting a £ player off the wage bill, is surely tempting.
Kluivert has changed positions under Paulo Fonseca at Roma – he had been utilised mainly as a winger, but had started to play as the man behind the main striker prior to the suspension of Italian football, which means more strings to his bow and more versatility at Mikel Arteta’s disposal.
The Netherlands international even has a soft spot for Arsenal and the Premier League – in the summer of 2018 he told : “England appeals to me: Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea or Manchester United are nice clubs where I can see myself playing in a few years.”
What do Arsenal fans make of the speculation? Here is some of the social media reaction:
sterling 2.0 incoming
— hak ❄️ (@hakashnikovv)
Could be the end of Nelson or he could play kluivert cam
— SouthLondonsfinestB (@YungTT1810)
Or Lacazette is leaving which means Aubameyang will play centrally. Also talk of Saka playing as an ‘8’. ?♂️
— Gurjit (@GurjitAFC)
Many clubs including Barcelona were after him when he chose Roma. We might not be too interested in him but its forces opportunity along with Mkhitaryan deal. Just like Mkhi and Alexis swap deal.
— RED ARMY (@nischal_15)
Some managers have the ability to detect the missing piece in a puzzle(Arteta)while some just replace the entire thing (Jose). Feels like Arteta has seen what can make him tic at arsenal and probably has a better plan for him
— G’ Factor (@Onyiax9)
We cannot miss this opportunity
— Agoliv (@arielgoliveira)
Tbh if he’s half as good as he’s old man I’d take that
— essexgooner (@GlenDrury)