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| Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal before the Premier League match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on January 01, 2022 in London, England. |
AS Roma have reportedly submitted a loan offer for Ainsley Maitland-Niles with a view of eventually signing him permanently in the summer.
According to The Athletic, AS Roma have already submitted a loan offer to Arsenal for midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, intending to buy him permanently in the summer. The Arsenal utility man remains keen on joining the Serie A giants, hoping to have an impact such as Tammy Abraham.
It has been a tricky few years for Ainsley Maitland-Niles at Arsenal, with the academy graduate facing time in and out of the team. Despite a few impressive performances in his preferred midfield position, Mikel Arteta has always chosen his other options instead of the 24-year-old.
After growing frustrated with life playing out of position, Maitland-Niles repeatedly requested to play in his preferred midfield position. To his credit, he has done extremely well whenever called upon, particularly this season, even putting in a man of the match performance against Watford as Arsenal secured a narrow victory.
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| Ainsley Maitland-Niles of Arsenal during a training session at London Colney on December 29, 2021 in St Albans, England. |
He was primed to leave the club last summer, with Everton very much on the forefront of a transfer. Arsenal blocked the move late on, as they failed to agree to the terms set by the Toffees, who wanted a two-year loan, which would not have let the Gunners recoup anything as a transfer fee.
The Toffees were expected to return with another offer in January. Now it seems AS Roma have put themselves as the front runners for his signature. Jose Mourinho’s side are keen on Maitland-Niles, who they expect will have a similar impact to Tammy Abraham, who arrived in the summer from Chelsea.
The plan for Roma is to bring in those highly rated players who are discontent with life at the current clubs and offer them a new lease at football. Having seen his name called up into the England setup in recent months, Abraham has certainly benefitted.
The plan for the Italian side is to help those players regain form and playing time, which would eventually benefit Roma, possibly by selling them on in a few years.
Mourinho’s side have reportedly made a loan offer to Arsenal, intending to sign him permanently in the summer through a buy option. Maitland-Niles is also keen on a move and is ready to shun the advances of other sides and sign for the Italians.
A decision from Arsenal may be made in the next few days, as Arteta might decide to cash in on a seemingly unhappy player. Gunners fans could see Maitland-Niles in action, possibly for the final time when they host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg; although, he may not be selected if a move is closer.
