‘That’s crazy’: Some Arsenal fans shocked by rumour of January player exit

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A number of Arsenal fans have criticised the report claiming the Gunners are in talks over offloading Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

According to ESPN, Arsenal are in discussions with Jose Mourinho’s Roma over a loan move for Maitland-Niles with option to buy.

Director Tiago Pinto reportedly wants to explore the possibility of signing the Gunners midfielder, who is open to the move.

ESPN quotes sources claiming Roma are eyeing a loan move with an option to make the deal permanent.

Discussions have apparently centred around a four-year contract. However, no potential fee for a permanent deal has yet been negotiated, added the report.

Maitland-Niles’ future at Arsenal has been uncertain for a while now.

Until this season, the bulk of the 24-year-old’s Arsenal game time was on the flanks.

Last term, Maitland-Niles joined West Brom on loan, where he thrived in midfield.

In summer, Arsenal reportedly blocked a loan switch to Everton on transfer deadline day.

He subsequently posted a message on his Instagram which said: “All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play.”

Arteta held clear-the-air talks with Maitland-Niles, and he stayed put at the Emirates Stadium.

However, he’s got just 11 appearances to his name this season, with a mere two starts in the Premier League.

On the surface, Maitland-Niles leaving shouldn’t be a big deal – after all, he wants game time that Arteta isn’t able to provide.

However, Thomas Partey and Mohamed Elneny are set to play in the Africa Cup of Nations early next year.

That’s two midfielders down – Maitland-Niles would certainly be in for a lot more game time.

Here’s what some Arsenal fans have been saying on Twitter: