Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is on the verge of joining Jose Mourinho’s AS Roma, according to Italian outlet Corriere Dello Sport.
The midfielder is a product of Hale End academy, having joined the club at the age of six. He rose through the ranks of the coveted academy and made his senior debut for the club in 2014. He also earned his first international cap for England in 2020.
In the winter transfer window last year, the star joined West Bromwich Albion on a loan deal until the end of that season. Since returning, he has struggled for game time this season, having just made eight league appearances. The midfielder has been unhappy about the current situation and seems to have set his eyes on a move away to Italy.
As per reports in Corriere Dello Sport, the player has agreed on personal terms with the Italian outfit and is prepared to leave north London in the January window. The proposed deal would keep him in Roma until 2025 after an initial loan spell.
The report claims that the loan deal has an obligation to make the move permanent in the summer. The Gunners have demanded a fee in the vicinity of €15million, but Mourinho’s side are reluctant to meet that price. They are hopeful that an agreement can be reached, however, they have devised other plans should the talks with Arsenal stall.
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Maitland-Niles has failed to establish himself as a regular under Mikel Arteta. However, the Englishman was an instrumental player in the Spaniard’s side during the FA Cup-winning campaign. He is a versatile player who is capable of occupying the defensive position on both the flanks and in the midfield.
With some Arsenal players departing for the AFCON, the 24-year-old’s versatility could come in handy. Undoubtedly, the youngster has the potential to elevate his game further. He is quick and possesses excellent defensive skills to fill in various areas of the pitch.
Arsenal have a huge decision to make. The Englishman still has a year left in his current contract, and as a talented young player, his market value should be high. And if the rumored transfer fee offered by Roma is anything to go by, the Gunners are certainly not the beneficiary of the deal.
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