An agreement for a loan move to AS Roma in January is said to be close for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is looking for an escape route from Arsenal frustrations.
In January, according to Goal, AS Roma is close to signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a season-long loan deal, as the midfielder wants to put an end to his Arsenal unhappiness.
For the whole of his time at Arsenal, Niles’s performances have always been a source of debate. The academy product was always adamant about playing in the middle of the field. However, all of his managers at the north London club have liked to utilize him in a variety of positions, ranging from full-back to anywhere in the offensive third of the field.
Mikel Arteta decided to send him out on loan to West Bromwich Albion in January after being persuaded to do so by him. Maitland-Niles made an immediate impression on his management, and the Gunners were able to maintain hold of the versatile star during the summer transfer window, despite his desire to join Everton.
Arsenal is willing to accept a loan offer from Roma until the end of the season
This season, the Spanish coach has often used the 24-year-old in his favourite midfield position, with the academy product even earning the award for Man of the Match against Watford. Arteta, on the other hand, has not included the midfielder in his recent selections, as it seems that his time at the club is drawing to a close.
More on Maitland-Niles deal. Arsenal will receive €500k loan fee plus €500k bonuses from AS Roma, no buy option. Full salary to be paid, paperworks to be signed tonight. 🤝🏴 #ASRoma
Balogun has also chances to leave Arsenal in January. Middlesbrough asked for him on loan #AFC pic.twitter.com/swE3ahzaFS
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 4, 2022
After missing out on a move to Everton in the summer, Maitland-Niles now has a fresh opportunity, with Roma expressing a strong interest in bringing him to the capital. Later this year, Jose Mourinho came close to completing the acquisition of his teammate Granit Xhaka, and he is now looking at other options to reinforce his midfield ahead of the January transfer window.
Arsenal is willing to accept a loan offer from Roma until the end of the season, and the midfielder is allegedly on the verge of joining the Italian club soon. However, the scenario is perplexing, given that Arsenal will be without Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny for the AFCON tournament in Nigeria next month.
🚨 Roma agree deal with Arsenal to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Straight loan until summer. Personal terms not done but won’t be an issue. Medical expected in UK in next 48hrs as needs to visit Italian embassy to get work permit @TheAthleticUK #AFC #ASRoma https://t.co/JBmCdmhDg0
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 4, 2022
Arsenal will look to get hold of another midfielder if Ainsley Maitland-Niles leaves
Arsenal may be willing to join the transfer market for another midfielder in the provided scenario, given the fact that they would be severely lacking in the area come January if the situation remains as it is. While the Gunners have managed to get by without Maitland-Niles so far this season, they may have liked to have had him available during the AFCON break in November.
In the current state of affairs, the 24-year-old England international seems to be destined for the Stadio Olimpico. And it remains to be seen what Arsenal will do in the transfer window to compensate for Maitland-Niles’ expected exit to Roma.
