Maitland-Niles wants out
For the second time in two transfer windows, Ainsley Maitland Niles has told Arsenal that he wants to leave the club.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles reportedly unhappy with his Arsenal game time this season.https://t.co/wX8qYVVTow
— football.london (@Football_LDN) December 10, 2021
The 24-year-old nearly left the club in the summer, with a move to Everton lined up. However, Arsenal pulled the plug for an unknown reason, leading to a public spat.
? Ainsley Maitland-Niles on Instagram ? pic.twitter.com/MkGHcEUGUV
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) August 30, 2021
But the midfielder has not seen much gametime this season, and could be set to depart just six months after being forced to stay.
Transfer fee potential revealed
And now, as per the Daily Mail, the Gunners could be looking at a transfer windfall come the summer.
Roma are allegedly keen on adding the 24-year-old to their ranks come the January transfer window.
AS Roma are in advanced talks to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan with buy option from Arsenal, as confirmed by @DiMarzio. ?? #ASRoma #AFC
Negotiations ongoing – talks opened few days ago as reported on last @podcastherewego episode on Thursday. ??
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 26, 2021
According to the English outlet, the initial deal will be a six-month loan move to begin with, accompanied with an option to buy the player in the summer. And while Roma will pay 600k to make the initial loan, they will also have a price-tag set at 8.4 million pounds in the summer, which would take the total deal to 9 million pounds.
It is far less than the 25 million pounds that the Gunners turned down for his services 18 months ago, but it does at least add some money back into the free-spending clubs coffers.
Will they target a replacement midfielder in the rest of the transfer window?
