The Serie A club have made a formal offer for the Arsenal winger, who did not travel with the first-team squad that began their pre-season tour of Asia last Thursday

By Wayne Veysey | Chief Correspondent Roma have submitted a £6.9million bid for Gervinho understands

The Serie A club have followed up their interest, reported by Goal last week, with a formal offer for the Arsenal winger.

The Gunners are willing to let Gervinho go this summer as they clear the decks for a number of marquee signings, with Luiz Suarez, Gonzalo Higuain, Marouane Fellaini and Wayne Rooney among those on their hit list.

Marseille have also declared their interest in taking the Ivory Coast international on a season-long loan but Arsenal would prefer a sale.

Gervinho did not fly out with the Arsenal squad last Thursday for their pre-season tour of Asia, which the club claim was due to sickness, although this conveniently allowed the player to stay behind to hold talks with his principal suitors.

Arsenal value the attacking midfielder, whose £50,000-a-week salary would stretch Roma's finances, at the £8m mark and have yet to respond to the Giallorossi's bid.

New Roma manager Rudi Garcia coached Gervinho for two seasons at Lille before he joined Arsenal in 2011 and remains an admirer of the 26-year-old.

Marseille offer the prospect of a return to the French league for Gervinho, if Roma cannot agree a fee with Arsenal.



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