Is it finally time for Arsenal to cash in on Maitland-Niles?

Stefan Bienkowski

• 4 Jan 2022 11:08 CST
• 5 min read

If Arsenal are intent on making new signings in the January transfer window they’ll need to sell some squad players first.

Fortunately for the London club, such an opportunity has fallen in their lap, with Roma reportedly keen on signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the coming weeks.

According to reports in England, the Serie A side are intent on loaning the young talent with the option to make the deal permanent later in the year.

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But should Arsenal think twice about selling the 24-year-old midfielder or is now the right time to cash in on the player?

Should Arsenal sell Maitland-Niles?

Although Maitland-Niles can play in a number of positions, he’s perhaps best suited to a central and rather defensive midfield role at Arsenal. And that’s where he’s faced the stiffest competition for game time.

Not only did the club spend big on a defensive midfielder in the form of Thomas Partey last season, but they then signed Martin Odegaard and Albert Sambi Lokonga for good measure in the summer.

Add to that the decision to keep Granit Xhaka, rather than sell him to Roma, and offer him a contract extension and it’s clear that Maitland-Niles is nowhere near the forefront of Mikel Arteta’s plans at the moment.

As such, even though the young talent may have plenty of potential in reserve, it would make some amount of sense for Arsenal to cash in on a player that has made just two starts in the Premier League this season.

How much is Maitland-Niles worth?

Although Maitland-Niles has struggled for game time at Arsenal recently, that doesn’t make him entirely worthless to the club.

At just 24 years of age, the England talent has plenty of time on his side and a contract with the club that is set to run until 2023.

As such, Maitland-Niles is currently valued at €23 million and should likely be sold for a fee of between €17-29 million if Roma are seriously about buying him this month.