Arsenal delay decision on letting midfielder depart to Roma on initial loan

Arsenal have delayed their decision on whether to loan out Ainsley Maitland-Niles to Roma for the rest of the season.

It is thought to be an initial loan move, with a buy option for around £8 million included in the proposal.

LondonWorld broke news late last year that a move to the Serie A was on for Maitland-Niles, but any potential move could be scuppered as Arsenal delay their decision.

In a tweet for highly reliable football journalist Fabrizio Romano, he said: “AS Roma are still waiting for Arsenal decision over Ainsley Maitland-Niles proposal made days ago.”

Roma have endured a rough patch under Jose Mourinho in Serie A, and would like the Arsenal midfielder to come in and help them reach their goals for the season.

Mourinho is not stranger to the Premier League, having managed Chelsea over two different spells, and taking the reigns at Old Trafford, leading Manchester United to a Europa League title.

This wouldn’t be the first time Roma have looked to London for players, having secured the permanent signing of Tammy Abraham for around £34 million, after Chelsea bought Romelu Lukaku back to west London for £97 million, a club record.

Maitland-Niles appeared to have a promising career at Arsenal, but apparently began to grow resentful at being used as a right-back, despite playing well there, and wanted to play in central midfielder.

After not being given the minutes in midfield, Maitland-Niles moved to West Brom, and unfortunately was not able to help the club survive in the Premier League, and now has a blemish on his CV.

After the arrival of Takehiro Tomiyasu, and him being arguably Arsenal’s best player this season, as well as Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe and Granit Xhaka performing superbly in the midfielder, it has proven hard for Maitland-Niles to break into the first team, and a loan move could be the catalyst to reignite his career.