Sportsmail revealed a deal had been agreed between Arsenal and Roma
All final paperwork and checks for Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ move have been done
Provided there are no delays, he should be announced by Roma on Thursday
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to be confirmed as a Roma player on Thursday after completing his loan switch from Arsenal.
Sportsmail revealed on Wednesday that a deal for the England international had been agreed by both clubs.
And it is understood that all the final paperwork and necessary checks have been completed with the deal now virtually done
Roma tried to include an option buy Maitland-Niles in the summer, but there was a reluctance to accept those terms at Arsenal.
Maitland-Niles and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta had previously held heart-to-heart talks during the closing stages of the summer transfer window during which the utility player was told he would have the chance to play more often as the club rebuffed approaches from Everton.
Since then the 24-year-old has made just two Premier League starts.
.Provided there are no unexpected delays, the 24-year-old should be announced as a Roma player on Thursday.
Maitland-Niles will enter the final 12 months of his Arsenal contract in the summer, leaving the club in danger of losing him for nothing in 2023.
Roma boss Jose Mourinho was hesitant to discuss the move as he had not been told Maitland-Niles was officially a Roma player.
‘I don’t feel comfortable talking about him, because nobody has officially told me that he is our player,’ said Mourinho, via Football Italia.
‘He grew up at Arsenal when I was at Chelsea and Tottenham, so I know him well.’
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