Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan has pleaded with the club to allow him join AS Roma on a permanent basis.
The 31-year-old has spent the season on loan with the Giallorossi and the midfielder has impressed, scoring six goals and providing four assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.
The coronavirus pandemic has brought a temporary halt to football across Europe, affecting loan deals such as Mkhitaryan's, who is likely to return to Arsenal before the Serie A resumes unless an agreement is struck.
But the Armenian playmaker has revealed he does not intend to play in north London again - and has asked the club to allow him to join Roma permanently.
“My time in London is over," he told Corriere dello Sport.
"I hope you manage to find an agreement with Rome because my desire is to stay."
Roma coach Paulo Fonseca has already expressed his desire to Mkhitaryan to remain in the Italian capital, but added the two clubs must come to an agreement first.
“I’ve already said it and I’ll say it again: I want Mkhitaryan to stay. Henrikh also wants to stay," the Portuguese boss said in April.
“However, it must be said that everything is on pause right now.
"We still need to talk to Arsenal. I want to keep working with him. He’s a great player and a great man.”
Mkhitaryan has just over a year left on his contract with the Gunners, but it is understood their asking price is too steep for Roma, who know they can sign the player on a free transfer next summer.
