Roma 'lodge loan bid for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles'

Roma have reportedly stepped up their efforts to secure a January loan deal for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The 24-year-old has been restricted to just four starts and seven substitute appearances this season, the last of which came on November 20.

Despite his squad status, Arsenal losing players to the Africa Cup of Nations means that they are not necessarily in a position to part ways with a versatile squad member at this point of the transfer window.

Nevertheless, according to The Athletic, Roma have made an official loan bid for the England international with the option to buy in the summer.

The report suggests that Jose Mourinho wants a deal pushed through as soon as possible, and will move on to other targets if Arsenal are not willing to do business over the coming days.

With Maitland-Niles having just 18 months left on his contract, the Premier League outfit may be prepared to bide their time for permanent bids with four weeks of the transfer window still remaining.