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 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 like 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 being playing out of position, Maitland-Niles repeatedly requested to play in his preferred midfield spot. 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 in November.
Maitland-Niles was primed to leave the club last summer, with Everton at 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 placed themselves as the front-runners for his signature. The Serie A giants are keen on Maitland-Niles, who they expect will have a similar impact as Tammy Abraham, who arrived in the summer from Chelsea.
The plan for Roma is to bring in highly-rated players who are discontent with life at their current clubs and offer them a new lease of life at the club level. Having seen his name called up into the England setup in recent months, Abraham has certainly benefitted.
The plan for the Serie A 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.
The Giallorossi have reportedly made a loan offer to Arsenal, intending to sign him permanently in the summer through a purchase option. Maitland-Niles is also keen on a move and is ready to shun the advances of other clubs and sign for AS Roma.
A decision from Arsenal may be made in the next few days, as Arteta might decide to cash in on a seemingly unhappy player. The Arsenal fans could see Maitland-Niles in action for possibly the final time when they host Liverpool in the Carabao Cup semi-final on Thursday, although he may not be selected if a move is close.
