Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles is close to joining Jose Mourinho’s Roma in an initial loan deal.

Mourinho expects new acquisitions in the January transfer window and the Arsenal midfielder is expected to be his first reinforcement in this transfer window.

According to Sky Sport Italia, one of the main reasons why Roma are desperately looking for Maitland-Niles is the fact that he plays in many positions on the field.

Maitland-Niles can play as a central midfielder, winger or wing back.

Roma hope to have him available on January 6, when the Serie A season resumes after the winter break.

The 24-year-old tested positive for coronavirus last week, so he will not leave the UK until he recovers.

Roma will pay him half a million euros for his loan and he can buy him at the end of the season for 10 million euros.