5 players who have flopped at their loan spells this season
The loan market has provided many players with an opportunity to go out and secure some much-needed game time at other football clubs.
Loan deals are often utilized to help develop young players by giving them a chance to maintain regular game time. They can also be used to reinvigorate stalling older players by offering them a change of scenery and pace, in the hope that they recapture their previous form.
Some loan signings have flourished with their performances this season, making their parent clubs sit up and take notice. However, others have had a struggling campaign out on loan, unable to achieve the reason for their loan spell.
So without further ado, here are five players who have flopped on their loan spells this season.
#5 Ainsley Maitland-Niles | Arsenal (on loan at Roma)
It has been a rather underwhelming season for Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with the star unable to find game time at Arsenal and failing to make his moments count with Roma.
It was reported that the star had intentions of leaving the Gunners during the summer. However, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta convinced the star to stay.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles's first interview as an #ASRoma player! 
on.asroma.com/33fqw2y"I decided to come here for myself, for my career and for my future – and to help the team. I am here now and I am ready to get to work.”
💬 Ainsley Maitland-Niles's first interview as an #ASRoma player! 🐺
Read more ➡️ on.asroma.com/33fqw2y https://t.co/37VQHBCHO7
Although he stayed, Maitland-Niles made just 11 appearances for the Gunners and it fueled his decision to leave the club in January. Roma would come calling, giving the star an opportunity at a loan move. However, recent reports have stated that Maitland-Niles' performances for the Giallorossi have been underwhelming.
The Italian outfit are not likely to keep Maitland-Niles after his loan deal and there appears to be no place for the star in the first team at Arsenal.
#4 Luuk de Jong | Sevilla (on loan at Barcelona)
Many fans and pundits alike have questioned Barcelona's reasons for bringing Luuk de Jong to Camp Nou on a loan deal. The star was brought in during the summer by Ronald Koeman. However, life with the Blaugrana has proved to be underwhelming, to say the least.
Some Blaugrana fans have even argued that there was no need to even bring in de Jong, seeing as the club had signed fellow striker Memphis Depay.
Luuk de Jong is officially unveiled as a Barcelona player 🔵🔴 https://t.co/C1MWJoawF9
The winter transfer window saw an influx of more attackers at Camp Nou, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joining the squad alongside Ferran Torres. Luuk de Jong's six goals in 22 appearances has been a sub-par return. However, it is even better than the return the star has had with Sevilla in the last two years - 19 goals in 94 appearances.
Barcelona will certainly not be signing the 31-year-old on a permanent transfer and his days at Camp Nou are numbered.