Roma have submitted an offer to Arsenal to take midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan for the rest of the season. According to David Ornstein of the Athletic, the offer includes the option of a permanent transfer after the loan spell, and the Gunners are yet to respond.
Maitland-Niles is open to the prospect of joining José Mourinho’s side in Italy’s Serie A, but is unlikely to try and force a transfer as he is also comfortable with the idea of staying in north London until at least the end of the season.
Roma Make Official Approach to Sign Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles on Loan
José Mourinho’s Side Will Pursue Other Targets if a Deal Cannot be Quickly Agreed
Having submitted their official offer to Arsenal, Roma are expecting a quick response from the Premier League top-four hopefuls, and will terminate their interest in Maitland-Niles if Mikel Arteta’s side show any unwillingness to conclude a deal or attempt to drag out any transfer.
From the player’s perspective, Maitland-Niles is interested in joining the likes of fellow Englishmen Chris Smalling and Tammy Abraham in José Mourinho’s side, and will not look to sign for any other club if a deal cannot be agreed.
However, Maitland-Niles is also open to the prospect of staying at Arsenal, where he is under contract until June 2023. The right-midfielder spent time on loan at West Bromwich Albion from February until May in 2021, and has made 8 Premier League appearances for the Gunners this season.
Arsenal’s Top-Four Hopes Hit in Manchester City Loss
It is not known at this stage if Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is willing for his club to accept Roma’s proposal for Maitland-Niles, with his side in the thick of a challenge for the Premier League’s top-four at the midway point in the season.
Watching from home after a positive Covid-19 test, Arteta will have been pleased with the way his team performed in defeat against defending champions Manchester City on New Year’s Day, but will be aware the loss could prove costly by the end of the season.
Arsenal currently occupy fourth-position in the table, but will slip behind rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United if the latter sides are able to win their games in hand.
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