‘Very close’: Sky reporter claims Arsenal 24-year-old will be in Italy today ahead of move

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Dharmesh Sheth has claimed that Ainsley Maitland-Niles is ‘very close’ to leaving Arsenal for Roma, as he told the Transfer Show on Sky Sports.

The Sky reporter added that the Arsenal 24-year-old will fly to Rome on Wednesday ahead of a ‘straight-up loan deal’.

Maitland-Niles has only started two Premier League games this season and the signs are pretty clear that he needs to head for the exit door to revive his career.

There was talk in the summer about him possibly leaving the club, including him taking to social media to express his frustration at not getting a move.

But it now seems as though he will be linking up with a certain Jose Mourinho at Champions League-chasing, Roma.

This is what Sky transfer expert, Sheth, had to say about Maitland-Niles and how it’s a case of ‘when’ he will move to Italy and not ‘if’.

“This one is very, very close to being agreed now between Roma and Arsenal,” said Sheth.

“I was told an option on top of the loan was being discussed. But, it’s now my information that this move is now a straight-up loan from Arsenal to Roma.

“The information I have just received in the last few minutes would suggest that, of course, he needs to pass his medical, but he will travel to Rome as early as tomorrow (Wednesday 5th Jan).

“He also needs a work permit for a move. But it looks like a case of when, not if, Ainsley Maitland-Niles will join up with Jose Mourinho at Roma.”

Maitland-Niles’s career has stagnated and there aren’t many coaches in world football that can help him get on the straight and narrow than Mourinho.

The trophy-laden coach may well be tough in his ways, but he has helped Tammy Abraham get back on track and there’s no reason why Maitland-Niles can’t follow suit.

It will be interesting to see how Mourinho uses the Hale-End academy product and his defensive talents because he can operate as a fullback and in the middle of the park.

But it’s interesting to note that this seems like a loan deal without an option, so perhaps Mikel Arteta still sees a future with the Englishman at the club.