Ainsley Maitland-Niles in Roma crosshairs

Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland Niles is reportedly a target for AS Roma, and developments have stepped up on Monday.

According to The Athletic, the Italian outfit, now managed by Jose Mourinho, have now submitted their offer to Arsenal, which consists of a loan with an option to buy at the end of the season should he impress.

However, Arsenal are yet to respond, and Maitland-Niles could yet stay at the Emirates.

Roma or bust, but why?

As per the above report, Maitland Niles will only look to move away from the Emirates Stadium for Roma, and would otherwise be happy to remain in north London. And David Ornstein reveals why, citing Tammy Abraham’s move as a key factor in his decision-making process.

Ornstein claims:

Roma’s ambition is to replicate the project they have embarked upon with Tammy Abraham; acquiring a highly-rated player from the Premier League who is not enjoying regular first-team game time and give them that opportunity, in the hope that it helps get their career back on track for club and country while also benefitting Roma.

And, for the players part:

Maitland-Niles is said to be enthusiastic about the possibility of it having a comparable impact [on his career]. 

His happiness to stay in north London should a move to the Italian capital not materialise, however, is striking. Just 3 months ago the Englishman was taking to Instagram to plead for a move away from the club in order to play more regularly, while he has continued not to see regular game time under Mikel Arteta.

It is possible, however, that he expects this to change with Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny both away at the Africa Cup of Nations, giving AMN one last chance to make a mark in the Arsenal engine room.

With a World Cup on the horizon, he will not want to warm the bench any longer.

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