Inter Milan are aiming to wrap up contract extension talks with midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan by Christmas.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via FCInterNews, who report that the Nerazzurri are offering a one-year contract extension with a near-certain option of a second season.
At the moment, Mkhitaryan’s contract with Inter runs out at the end of next June.
The Armenian international signed a two-year deal with the club last summer to join on a free transfer from Roma.
Mkhitaryan will turn 35 during the current season. However, he has shown few signs of slowing down.
On the contrary, Mkhitaryan has been in excellent form.
The 34-year-old has been a key player in the Nerazzurri’s starting eleven under Simone Inzaghi at the start of the season, as he had been throughout last campaign.
Mkhitaryan had played a key role in Inter’s run to last season’s Champions League final.
Given Mkhitaryan’s form and continued importance to the team, Inter do not see his age as a problem in the least.
The Nerazzurri want to extend the Armenian’s deal.
Inter Want To Wrap Up Henrikh Mkhitaryan Contract Talks By Christmas
Naturally, there would be two main factors in the talks between Inter and Mkhitaryan.
Firstly, there would be the question of wages for the former Roma and Arsenal man.
According to the Gazzetta, Inter would likely offer Mkhitaryan very similar wages to those which he is currently on.
At the moment, the 35-year-old earns €3.8 million net per season. This is the contract that he signed when he joined the Nerazzurri on a free transfer last summer.
Then, there would be the matter of a duration of a new deal.
Reports have so far suggested that Inter want to offer Mkhitaryan a one-year extension. Meanwhile, the Armenian has reportedly asked for a two-year deal.
The parties could meet somewhere in the middle.
According to the Gazzetta, Inter will offer Mkhitaryan a new deal that runs until the end of June 2025. This would also include an option until the end of June 2026.
But that “option” would be fairly trivial to achieve. Therefore, it would be for all intents and purposes a likely two-year deal.