AS Roma could swap Cengiz Under to sign Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer, with Arsenal throwing in some cash to sweeten the deal, according to reports in Italy.

Italian outlet Leggo claim there is ‘cautious optimism’ from AS Roma about bringing Mkhitaryan in this summer, and they could consider a swap deal for Cengiz Under to make it happen.

As per claims from Gianluca Di Marzio this week, AS Roma are keen to sign Mkhitaryan on a permanent deal. However, they aren’t in contact with the Gunners just yet. They’re planning to first hold talks with the player and his agent to establish his intentions.

The coronavirus pandemic throws a spanner in the works, though. Arsenal wanted around €20m, a figure that seems much less reasonable for a player in his thirties now.

Leggo claim there are a couple of possible solutions. One is another loan, presumably either with an obligation to buy or a year-long contract extension at Arsenal. Mkhitaryan’s deal expires next summer, so that’s the only way a loan could work.

The other is a swap deal for Cengiz Under. Arsenal would need to throw in around €10m to sweeten the deal.

Thanks to an injury in September and his subsequent slow return to the team, Under is only up to 12 starts in all competitions for the entire season. That’s part of why his numbers dropped from six goals and 10 assists last season to just three goals so far in this.

Still, at 22 years old with almost 200 appearances at club level and 20 for his country, he has potential. Whether Arsenal need another right-winger is another question. Under has played on the left in the past, but not as often since joining Roma.