Roma boss insists Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to stay

Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has revealed that Arsenal loanee Henrikh Mkhitaryan is open to joining the club on a permanent basis at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old failed to make an impression for the Gunners after joining from Manchester United in January 2018 and has spent this season with Roma.

Mkhitaryan has proved to be a big hit at the Stadio Olimpico, playing a direct part in nine goals in 13 Serie A appearances.

Fonseca has confirmed that the Armenia international wants to stay in Rome and the Giallorossi are keen to snap him up permanently.

"I want him to stay and he also wants to stay," he told Russian TV show Great Football.

"However, it should be clear that everything is now on hiatus, and we'll have to talk to Arsenal.

"I want to continue working with him because he's a great player and a great man."

Roma are also rumoured to be hopeful of signing Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling once his loan deal expires.