---
title: "West Ham fans react to ‘unreal’ Ainsley Maitland-Niles reports"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2021/12/31/west-ham-fans-react-to-unreal-ainsley-maitland-niles-reports/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2021-12-31T08:30:00Z"
modified: "2021-12-31T08:30:00Z"
---

# West Ham fans react to ‘unreal’ Ainsley Maitland-Niles reports

West Ham have been linked with a move for Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles ahead of the January transfer window.

The Hammers could potentially be about to make a loan swoop for the 24-year-old amidst [strong interest](https://football-italia.net/maitland-niles-to-roma-whats-missing-to-close-the-deal-with-arsenal/) from Serie A side AS Roma.

That’s according to reliable club insider ExWHUemployee on the most recent [The West Ham Way](https://www.patreon.com/posts/twhw-podcast-new-60387903) podcast.

Unsurprisingly the claims have got supporters talking on [social media](https://twitter.com/westhamtransfer/status/1476185956327772161) and it’s fair to say there has been a mixed reaction.

> Would be an unreal signing
>
> — Dan (@d\_goodbarne) [December 29, 2021](https://twitter.com/d_goodbarne/status/1476187052786032644?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/Icevain7/status/1476186063236444163

> Would take him all day ⚒
>
> — Jamie (@jamiebb86) [December 29, 2021](https://twitter.com/jamiebb86/status/1476209918839508993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Noooooo
>
> — Marc (@MarcClimpson) [December 29, 2021](https://twitter.com/MarcClimpson/status/1476222965452886019?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> great signing that would be
>
> — Freddie Collins (@FryerFreddie) [December 29, 2021](https://twitter.com/FryerFreddie/status/1476207034823589889?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

So far this season the [five-cap](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/nationalmannschaft/spieler/285845/verein_id/3299) England man has made [11 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdaten/spieler/285845) across all competitions for the Gunners.

### READ WEST HAM VERDICT

From a squad strength perspective, this is a move that would make plenty of sense given the [£10.8million valued](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/marktwertverlauf/spieler/285845) man’s superb versatility.

However, surely the biggest stumbling block for this deal would be an unwillingness from Arsenal to deal with a direct [top-four](https://www.premierleague.com/tables) rival.

If they were then West Ham would be right to consider bringing another ace whose [career has slightly stalled](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845) to the London Stadium to resurrect themselves and give David Moyes’ side another option.