AS Roma CEO Tiago Pinto has contacted Arsenal to discuss signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan for Jose Mourinho’s side during the January transfer window, according to ESPN.
Maitland-Niles has failed to secure a regular role in Mikel Arteta’s side at the Emirates Stadium this season. The 24-year-old has started just two Premier League fixtures and made a further six substitute appearances across 16 available games.
Arteta left the midfielder out of his squad as Arsenal beat Leeds United last week after he became unwell. He has now returned to training, however, ahead of visiting Norwich City.
Maitland-Niles has been reconsidering his future at Arsenal for the past few months amid his lack of minutes. The Sun even reported in early October that he may soon ask to leave.
Pinto has now approached Arsenal to discuss a mid-season loan transfer for Maitland-Niles with an option for Roma to buy. The versatile London-born ace is open to joining the Serie A side next month, as well, in a deal currently centred around a possible four-year contract.
Roma and Arsenal have not yet debated what fee the Giallorossi would have to pay to sign Maitland-Niles permanently. Everton also retain an interest after the Toffees’ late summer loan approach proved unsuccessful with Arteta opposing any last-ditch transfers.
Newcastle United additionally admire Maitland-Niles, per the Daily Mail, as they study their January targets. The Toon are tracking his situation and may move once the sales start.
Should Arsenal let Maitland-Niles join Roma in January loan transfer?
Maitland-Niles had held a regular supporting role in Arteta’s plans during the early months of the season. All eight of his appearances came in a 10-game run between August 28 and November 20. He has since failed to feature for a second in the Gunners’ last six fixtures.
The five-cap England international also missed out earning game time in the Carabao Cup against Sunderland following his illness. So, it will be no surprise if Maitland-Niles asks to leave Arsenal in the January transfer window with Roma, Everton and Newcastle keen.
Arsenal cannot hold off on sanctioning a transfer for Maitland-Niles much longer, either.
The Gunners product’s £52k-a-week contract expires in 2023, making next year their last chance to negotiate a solid fee. Yet even then, the Daily Mail note Arsenal will have to sell Maitland-Niles for significantly less than the £30m they valued him at just 18-months ago.
Roma could come to Arsenal’s salvage in negotiating a loan-to-buy transfer for Maitland-Niles. Mourinho has long admired the midfielder, with The Sun reporting in 2020 that he considered a bid while Tottenham manager.
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