Arteta to follow up firm interest with shrewd pounce for frustrated €30m star
Arsenal are ready and waiting to trigger the €30million release clause for Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini after contract renewal talks with the Serie A giants stalled, according to reports.
Pellegrini has been in impressive form this season having assisted nine goals in 18 appearances in the Italian top flight, the third-best record in the league.
The 23-year-old’s contract expires in the summer of 2022 and he revealed in November that he was due to sit down with Roma to discuss an extension and the potential removal of his release clause.
However, according to FCInterNews (via Sport Witness), those talks have hit a standstill and as such frustrations have arisen over the player’s future in Rome.
The source says that Arsenal have been keeping tabs on Pellegrini for “some time” and that boss Mikel Arteta has a serious interest in bringing him to North London.
The structure of such a deal has also been revealed, with Arsenal reportedly having to pay two instalments of €15million in what would be a sensible approach.
It is added that AC Milan and Inter Milan have re-established contact with Pellgrini’s representatives as they look to steal a march on the other interested parties.
There is also the chance that Pellegrini could extend his terms with Roma if the club’s prospective new owners can successfully take over in the coming weeks.
Arteta made use of his first transfer window as Gunners boss last month by signing defenders Pablo Mari and Cedric Soares on loan deals until the end of the season.
It is expected to be a busy summer for Arsenal, with the futures of the likes of Bukayo Saka and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang uncertain.
In other news, Arsenal forward Eddie Nketiah has revealed how a tough loan spell at Leeds United earlier in the season helped prepare him for his return to North London.
Nketiah found it tough under Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa but has impressed since his move back to the capital, scoring in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Everton.
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