Lorenzo Pellegrini is still strongly considering staying with AS Roma, but he likes Arsenal ‘above all’, according to reports in Italy.
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Calciomercato report that their sources say Pellegrini would like to stay in Rome, but wants certain guarantees from the higher-ups at the club about their project and his role in it.
The Italian outlet therefore say there is a ‘reasonable’ chance that Pellegrini stays with his current club, but it’s not a certainty.
They mention Juventus as a club interested in signing him, and also explain that “Pellegrini likes the two Manchester clubs, and, above all, Arsenal”. They say all three English sides are “ready to pay the (release) clause to bring him to the Premier League”.
Reports earlier this week suggest that release clause is set at £26m. Arsenal are reportedly trying to get a better deal though. They’re hoping to use Unai Emery’s pre-existing relationship with Roma sporting director Monchi to ease through negotiations, since the two worked together at Sevilla.
Pellegrini has been a regular in his side’s Serie A campaign in 2017/18. He made 28 league appearances, scoring three and assisting four from a defensive midfield position. You can understand why he is in no rush to leave.
With the departures of Francis Coquelin, Santi Cazorla, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and potentially Jack Wilshere, Arsenal need some reinforcements in the centre. We’ll see if the transfer team can convince Pellegrini to join.
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