Mino Raiola proposed the possible swap deal involving Justin Kluivert joining Arsenal and Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving to AS Roma.

Writing in a comment on his Instagram page, Fabrizio Romano reported that football agent Mino Raiola proposed the Kluivert-to-Arsenal swap deal for Mkhitaryan doing the rounds in the Italian media at the moment. Right, the situation is still at an early stage.

According to Italian outlet Il Tempo, Raiola has a mandate from Roma to work with Arsenal on a swap deal between Mkhitaryan and Kluivert. If true, that shows it’s not just the agent trying to push a move neither side wants.

Instead, it seems Roma are hoping to use the agent’s relationship to his two clients to secure a transfer for the Arsenal winger.

The Serie A club first tried to convince Arsenal to loan Mkhitaryan again. The player’s contract expires in 2021, so Roma hoped Arsenal would extend it before completing another loan deal. Obviously, this suggestion was ridiculous and didn’t get very far.

Instead, they’re trying to use Kluivert as a makeweight. They still want money on top of Mkhitaryan, as they see Kluivert as the more valuable asset. The 21-year-old has seven goals and two assists in 27 appearances this season.

For Mkhitaryan’s part, he clearly wants to join Roma. He’s made that clear in quotes on a number of occasions. He isn’t completely ruling out a return to Arsenal, but it’s evidently not his first choice.