Midfielder on his way to Arsenal to compete with Thomas Partey following Instagram message

Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles has all but confirmed he will not be joining AS Roma permanently this summer.

The England international struggled for game time during the first half of the 2021/22 campaign before completing a loan move to the Gialorossi during the January transfer window. Despite clinching a UEFA Europa Conference League trophy last week, Maitland-Niles failed to establish himself as a regular in Jose Mourinho’s side, starting just seven times in Serie A.

Now, he has taken to social media to post a farewell message to the Roma fans, confirming he will be returning to the Gunners to compete with first-choice midfielders Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka unless an interested team makes a move for him this summer. The 24-year-old’s Instagram post read: “Great way to end the season. Thank you to the Roma fans, players and staff for embracing me and believing in me as one of their own for the short period of time spent at the club. What an experience and to be a part of history with the club.”

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Roma boss Jose Mourinho then replied to Maitland-Niles’ post by saying: “We will miss you. One of us.”

It remains to be seen whether or not the versatile midfielder has a future in north London, with his contract at the club now into the final 13 months.

A permanent departure seems likely this summer unless a new deal is signed. football.london understands that Arsenal are also keen to bring in a central midfielder in the summer window, making Maitland-Niles’ chances of first-team football even less likely.