Arsenal transfer demands for Maitland-Niles revealed

Arsenal are working on concluding a sale in advance of the January transfer window with Mikel Arteta and co continuing to trim the squad.

After seeing off Norwich 5-0 and then having their following match against Wolves postponed, fans have had their attentions turned to what will happen over the coming weeks and the developments with Ainsley Maitland-Niles have made for interesting discussion.

With some reports stating that a deal with Roma is all-but confirmed and the loan move somewhat imminent, it is worth noting how ‘done’ the deal was to take Granit Xhaka to Stadio Olimpico last summer.

Should this move go ahead, it will leave Arsenal with only two senior central midfielders for the duration of AFCON, and light overall with only four on the books. It rather strongly suggests someone else will be coming in the door.

Arsenal transfer demands for Ainsley Maitland-Niles move to Roma in the January window revealed

In regards to this deal, however, Chris Wheatley has provided the latest details on what demands Arsenal are setting, with Maitland-Niles and Roma both hoping the deal can come off.

Arsenal are expected to negotiate an obligation clause into the deal, which is said to around £12m, one that will be triggered depending on the number of appearances Maitland-Niles makes. Previously it was mentioned that an option to buy would be included, and if an obligation is appearance based the hope will be that the number is quite easily obtainable.

Edu is locked in talks with Roma counterpart Tiago Silva, someone he shares a close relationship with, while fellow Englishman Tammy Abraham, who Arsenal tried to sign over the summer, has already been contacted by Maitland-Niles in relation to the move.

Unlike some other reports this deal is still not signed, sealed and delivered. There is still a loan fee to be agreed – elsewhere this was listed as £600k – and the other terms of the deal are yet to be finalised. However, Maitland-Niles’ keenness securing a summer exit is ‘likely’ to be accepted this time, unlike when his public efforts to move in the previous window fell on deaf ears.

Having been promised that he was in Arteta’s plans, the minutes have been gradually drying up for Maitland-Niles since. Xhaka’s return from injury has removed any chance of playing time, therefore a mid-season exit is entirely understandable for the 24-year-old.

Is it for Arsenal though? Quite literally having enough senior central midfielders for just one starting lineup, the hectic fixture list doesn’t slow down into January where Arsenal will be competing in three competitions

Charlie Patino is likely to see minutes in the FA Cup and Miguel Azeez may even be recalled from his loan. Both are still young and inexperienced, however, so a permanent addition has to be on the cards.