Player ‘prepares to leave’ Arsenal – Has already ‘reached an agreement’ with new club

Tuesday’s Corriere dello Sport is bullish on AS Roma’s chances of signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the current transfer window.

The 24-year-old has struggled for minutes this season, with him completely out of the Premier League picture for Mikel Arteta in recent weeks. An exit in January has been repeatedly talked up, and Corriere say the player ‘prepares to leave’ Arsenal to join the Serie A club.

It’s claimed the player’s camp have ‘reached an agreement’ with Roma on personal terms. That would see him sign a three year deal with the club, after an initial loan period, and earn €2.5m a season, a figure which is almost certainly after tax.

Now it’s a case of agreeing the details with Arsenal.

Corriere dello Sport report it would be a loan with Roma having an obligation to make the move permanent in the summer. Arsenal want the fee set at €15m, whereas Roma don’t want to pay more than €10m.

Despite the confidence a deal can be done, it’s made clear Jose Mourinho’s side have other options should they fail to reach an agreement with Arsenal.