According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have rejected an opening bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers for Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The versatile youngster is expected to be sacrificed by the Gunners to raise funds this summer. Maitland-Niles has been extremely helpful for Arsenal over the last two years.
The Englishman has played in both full-back positions, on the wings and in central midfield. He even started in Arsenal’s first pre-season game against MK Dons on Tuesday and fared decently.
Maitland-Niles was also integral in Arsenal’s FA Cup win last season. He was brilliant in the semi-final win against Manchester City and played extremely well in the final against Chelsea as well.
Sky Sports reported this week that the youngster was close to a move to Wolves with a four-year deal on the table. A move looked pretty imminent but it looks like the Wanderers’ transfer offer wasn’t what Arsenal were expecting.
The report claims that Wolves tabled a £15 million bid for Maitland-Niles which falls short of Arsenal’s £20 million valuation. The Gunners have rejected the offer but Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are expected to return with a better deal.
A majority of Arsenal fans are confused over the club’s decision to sell the 22-year-old. Maitland-Niles, an academy graduate, was expected to be the future of the club and Gunners supporters don’t want him gone, especially for as little a £15 million.
Some of them took to social media to express their views over Wolves’ opening bid. It’s safe to say that Arsenal fans weren’t impressed with the offer.
Here’s how a few of them reacted on Twitter
Arsenal’s record transfer deals
- Nicolas Pepe
£72 million
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
£56 million
- Alexandre Lacazette
£52 million
- Thomas Partey
45 million
- Mesut Ozil
£42 million
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