According to recent transfer gossip, Arsenal might be losing Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the very near future.
Reliable David Ornstein of The Athletic reported on Monday afternoon that Jose Mourinho’s Roma wanted a transfer done ‘imminently’.
It remains to be seen if Arsenal sell the versatile academy product outright or loan him initially, with Ornstein adding this week that the Italian outfit would favour a permanent purchase.
The trail has gone somewhat cold on Maitland-Niles speculation in recent days.
However, according to Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto, ‘something is happening’.
The Portuguese transfer guru, speaking to DAZN last night, revealed that a transfer for the Arsenal player was ‘close’.
He said: “I can say we are talking to Arsenal for Niles, there is something happening and he is close.”
Could Arsenal shoot themselves in the foot?
Honestly, absolutely.
Arsenal aren’t flush with central midfielders at this moment.
Mohamed Elneny and Thomas Partey are away at Africa Cup of Nations duty and Granit Xhaka hasn’t trained at all this week, Football London reported on Thursday.
With the Gunners facing Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday, manager Mikel Arteta is probably going to be light on midfield options – and particularly if Maitland-Niles is sent to Italy before then.
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