Ainsley Maitland-Niles has suddenly become the top target for Roma to bolster the right flank, and the negotiation with Arsenal is ongoing. The parties are close, and there is momentum to reach an agreement on the formula and the figures in short order, Sky Italy reports.
The Giallorossi want the versatile midfielder on loan with option to buy. They offered €500/700k right away, plus a €10M clause at the end of the season. The Gunners aim to raise both sums. The contacts between the two sides have been frequent over the weekend.
Roma would like to bring in the Arsenal winger in time for January 6th’s game against Milan, but it is not easy. Maitland-Niles recently tested positive for COVID-19 and will have to go through the protocol. He was initially unconvinced by the terms of the transfer. The Italian club won him over suggesting that they plan to keep him past the initial six-month spell. The presence of another Englishman in the squad, Tammy Abraham, was a helpful factor.
Roma expect to seal the deal with the 24-year-old quickly and then focus on the talks with Arsenal. They have tracked a plethora of options for the right wing, where Rick Karsdorp is their only reliable contributor. They zeroed in on the English international because of his age and versatility, the publication adds. He also has experience and should be able to fight right in. He has collected 132 appearances with the Gunners, scoring 3 times and providing 8 assists. He has five caps with the Three Lions.