Arsenal right midfielder, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, is getting closer to achieving his dream of leaving the Premier League club after about a season of trying to exit the club.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is a product of the Arsenal football youth system. He broke into the club’s senior team on July 1, 2017, after he has spent a season on loan at Ipswich.
Due to a lack of regular game time at Arsenal, the 24-year-old English right midfielder went on loan to West Brom on February 1, 2021. While at West Brom, he played 15 times without scoring nor providing an assist.
He returned to Arsenal ahead of the 2021-2022 season with the hope of playing regularly under coach Mikel Arteta. Unfortunately for him, he continued to suffer a lack of regular game time.
So far this season, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has managed to play just eleven games in all competitions, 8 times in the Premier League, and three times in the EFL Cup. In the little game time he has gotten, the out-of-favor England international has scored just a goal.
Hence, Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly close to reaching an agreement with an Italian club, Roma. He is expected to join the club on loan during the January transfer window.
Coach Jose Mourinho of Roma intends to strengthen his squad for the remaining games of the season by bringing players to the club on loan. And Maitland-Niles happens to be one of the top candidates on Mourinho’s list.
If the deal scale through, it would be a great relief for Maitland-Niles that has not made any Premier League appearance for Arsenal since November.
Recall that earlier in the season, the English right midfielder publicly declared his intention of leaving Arsenal to a club where he could play regularly but the club is skeptical about letting him go.
Also read: Ainsley Maitland-Niles to be punished by Arsenal for trying to join Everton
The English football star who made his debut for the Three Lions of England on September 8, 2020, still has until June 30, 2023, before his contract with Arsenal expires.
If Ainsley Maitland-Niles joins Roma in January, he would become the second English youngster that would join up with Jose Mourinho at the Italian club after Tammy Abraham.
Recall that Abraham had to leave Chelsea ahead of the 2021-2022 season when he could not play regularly at the Premier League club. Since he arrived in Rome, he has become a more consistent player. His improved form has launched him back to the England national team.
Hence, Maitland-Niles would wish his career could get such a revitalization under the legendary Portuguese coach if his loan move scale through a few days from now.
AS Roma are in advanced talks to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan with buy option from Arsenal, as confirmed by @DiMarzio. 🔴🤝 #ASRoma #AFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 26, 2021
Negotiations ongoing – talks opened few days ago as reported on last @podcastherewego episode on Thursday. 🇮🇹
