According to The Telegraph, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has now decided that he needs to leave Arsenal this summer when his West Bromwich Albion loan ends.
It’s claimed that Maitland-Niles has already accepted that this summer is the time to move on permanently, with his chances of breaking through at Arsenal slim.
Maitland-Niles would love to play as a central midfielder; that’s where he has been playing under Sam Allardyce since joining West Brom on loan in January, after all.
However, Maitland-Niles allegedly realises that bigger sides see him as a right back or right wing back, meaning that may be where he plays moving forward.
Wolves, Leicester City and Southampton are thought to be keen on Maitland-Niles, whilst interest from Manchester United isn’t exactly ruled out.
The 23-year-old has been with Arsenal since 2003, so leaving won’t be easy, but even though Mikel Arteta claimed in December that Maitland-Niles has made ‘big, big progress’ this season, his time looks to be up.
The report adds that Arsenal have started trying to sign another right back, with Inter Milan star Achraf Haimi thought to be one of their top targets.
With Hector Bellerin and Cedric Soares still at the club, there appears to be be no room at the inn for Maitland-Niles, with Arsenal no doubt sending a pretty hefty fee for their homegrown ace.
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