AS Roma seems to be strengthening with Ainsley Maitland-Niles in January. Jose Mourinho’s employer is currently in ‘advanced talks’ with Arsenal about a rental period with option to buy, Fabrizio Romano confirms. According to Sky Italy agreement has yet to be reached on the amount of the option to buy, but both parties are close to an agreement.
Maitland-Niles, a 24-year-old versatile midfielder, has made eight Premier League appearances this season. He was allowed to fill in six times; only against Norwich City (1-0 win on September 11) and Watford (1-0 win on November 7) did he receive a starting spot from trainer Mikel Arteta. Furthermore, Maitland-Niles played in the three EFL Cup games that Arsenal played this season. The five-time England international comes from Arsenal’s youth academy and played a total of 72 league games for the club.
AS Roma are in advanced talks to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan with buy option from Arsenal, as confirmed by @DiMarzio. ???? #ASRoma #AFC
Negotiations ongoing – talks opened few days ago as reported on last @podcastherewego episode on Thursday. ????
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 26, 2021
Made earlier this week ESPN as the first report of interest from Rome. Sporting director Tiago Pinto reached out to Arsenal and, if the move becomes permanent, would already have a four-year contract in mind for Maitland-Niles. The midfielder was already loaned to Ipswich Town in the 2015/16 season and played at West Bromwich Albion from February to the summer last season. After the season, he was linked with Everton, but a transfer was not forthcoming.
Maitland-Niles made a cry for help via social media in the final days of the transfer market to be able to leave. “All I want is to go somewhere I’m wanted and where I’m going to play,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. When the switch fell into the water, he spoke to Arteta to clear the air. After last month’s game against Watford, the trainer showed himself satisfied with his pupil. “I see a different player when it comes to the urgency, the dedication and the idea in his game,” said Arteta. “I wanted him to stay here because we could use him well. He has a lot of talent and is versatile enough to play in any position on the pitch.”