AS Roma coach Jose Mourinho remains tightlipped amid reports linking Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles with a move to the Serie A side.
Maitland-Niles is edging close to completing a loan move to Roma during the current transfer window as the wingback targets more playing time. However, Mourinho seemed reluctant to talk about the player claiming ‘he knows him well.’
“I don’t feel comfortable talking about him, because nobody has officially told me that he is our player,” he said, via Football Italia.
“He grew up at Arsenal when I was at Chelsea and Tottenham, so I know him well.”
Niles has fallen out of favor under Mikel Arteta this season with the player pleading to play more games as the Gunners turned down offers from a number of Premier League clubs.
“All I wanna do is go where I’m wanted and where I’m gonna play,” the player wrote on Social media.
He held showdown talks with Mikel Arteta but has started just twice for the Gunners, which has been a factor in his decision to move elsewhere.
See also: Italian side Roma launches bid to sign Maitland-Niles
Roma manager Mourinho confirms Maitland-Niles deal: “I can’t say too much now but yes, Ainsley looks like a serious option for us. We’re working to sign two players on loan in January”. 🏴 #ASRoma #MUFC
Paperworks are set to be signed between Roma and Arsenal for Maitland-Niles.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 5, 2022
