'World class' midfielder holds press conference to say goodbye after being linked with Arsenal move

Arsenal have been patient in the summer transfer window and have evidently opted for a quality-over-quantity approach.

Riccardo Calafiori became Arsenal’s first signing of the summer and now Mikel Arteta is keen on signing a midfielder.

Mikel Merino has been identified as a potential target but that deal has been at somewhat of a standstill in recent weeks.

With that said, one of their other midfield targets has just waved goodbye.

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Sergi Roberto waves goodbye to Barcelona

Sergi Roberto was linked with Arsenal earlier in the window following the expiry of his contract at Barcelona.

Roberto had a contract extension agreed at Camp Nou but the La Liga giants couldn’t finalise the deal due to their financial woes.

That’s led a whole host of clubs to register their interest in the free agent and The Gunners have already made contact.

Roberto’s Barca exit was formalised on Tuesday when he held a press conference to bid farewell after 18 years at the club.

Could Sergi Roberto now accelerate his next move

Now that Roberto has formally announced his Barcelona departure, one would assume his next move will now be accelerated.

Arsenal will surely be front and centre to land his signature considering they’re after a midfielder to bolster their ranks.

Roberto, who has been labelled ‘world class’ via Sporticos, can also operate as a right-back, which was an area Arteta was keen to strengthen earlier in the window.

West Ham United, AS Roma and Ajax are just a few of the clubs eager to sign the former Barca star, so evidently it won’t be a straightforward deal to do for The Gunners.