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Report: Roma eye alternative as Arsenal dig heels in over Ainsley Maitland-Niles

Lee Connor

Sat 1 January 2022 11:13, UK

Arsenal could once again end up keeping Ainsley Maitland-Niles in January, as Roma become frustrated with the Gunners over the lack of movement in a potential deal.

Roma are keen on Maitland-Niles and it has been reported that the player himself prefers the move to Italy over a host of English clubs. The Serie A side are looking to pay around £8m for Maitland-Niles after an initial loan deal. However, the Gunners are digging their heels and want more money.

And now, according to , Roma are already drawing up plans to bring in an alternative. Their report suggests that Almamy Traore, of Eintracht Frankfurt, is now on the radar of Jose Mourinho. The 25-year-old would cost a similar fee to that which Roma are willing to pay for Maitland-Niles.

Of course, this could mean frustration for the Arsenal man once again. The versatile England man stayed put in the summer on the premise of getting more minutes. However, it’s not panned out that way and he now wants out again.

Mikel Arteta faces an unhappy player if, as is suggested here, Roma do move on and bring Toure in instead.

TBR’s View: Arsenal Surely Have To Do Business Here

While it’s admirable that Arsenal don’t want to sell at a low price, surely they recognised that Maitland-Niles wants out and needs this move? He is simply going stale at The Emirates. That helps nobody.

It seems that the clubs are haggling over a few million, which, in this day and age, is nothing. Arsenal should let Maitland-Niles go here, even if it is for slightly less than they might have envisioned.

They had their chance in the summer to get big money and blew it. It seems only fair, then, that six months down the line they allow a talented player to move on and fulfil his potential elsewhere.