Nottingham Forest are interested in a move for Arsenal full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles this summer, according to the Northern Echo. The 24-year-old has one-year remaining on his deal and could look for a move to gain more game time.
It comes after a difficult time for the academy product, who was unable to break into the first-team on a regular basis at the Emirates Stadium. He then made the loan move to AS Roma, where he only managed eight Serie A appearances.
On his experience in Italy, the defender took to Instagram to say: "Great way to end the season [winning the Europa Conference League] 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 spend at the club what an experience and to be a part of history with the club."
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However, reports from the Northern Echo suggest his time at the Emirates Stadium could be up, and he could make the move to the City Ground with newly promoted Nottingham Forest. This means that, according to the report, that the club have given up on signing Djed Spence on a permanent deal.
The 21-year-old impressed in his time on loan at the club from Middlesbrough, making 42 appearances in their promotion campaign. That had gained a number of interested parties upon his return to his parent club, including north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham.
Should Maitland-Niles join Forest, it would leave a free run for both clubs to make their move for the young full-back. While he is reportedly available for between £12million and £20million, it remains to be seen whether either club will finally place a bid in transfer poker.
