Ainsley Maitland-Niles is back in training after illness, but AS Roma are now interested in signing him on loan in January.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles missed out on the last couple of Arsenal matchday squads through a non-Covid illness, but he was back with the team in training this week.

Whilst that adds to Mikel Arteta’s options in the short term, that may not last. According to reports, AS Roma are pursuing a January move for the player.

ESPN report that Roma are in talks to sign Maitland-Niles on loan. The player is open to the move, and Roma sporting director Tiago Pinto has made contact with Arsenal.

Roma are keen on a loan with an option to buy, holding discussions over a potential four-year contract, but not over a fee just yet.

The Athletic confirm that Roma are interested in Maitland-Niles, though they claim the move is at an early stage.

The outlet adds that Everton are still interested in the player, but he would prefer to join Roma.

Maitland-Niles hasn’t played a huge amount since he pushed to leave over the summer.

In total, he’s only up to 472 minutes for the campaign, just over five matches’ worth. That’s less than a quarter of the minutes Arsenal have played.

Unless he feels like that’s going to change, it seems likely the 24-year-old will push for Arsenal to sanction a loan in January.