Ainsley Maitland-Niles is now ‘desperate’ to leave Arsenal today, the Daily Mirror report.
Maitland-Niles has been unable to force his way into Mikel Arteta’s line-up at Arsenal on a regular basis this season, and now feels that a move away would be best for his career.
A clutch of Premier League clubs are all trying to sign him, but whether Arsenal will sanction a deal remains to be seen.
Leicester City want to loan him, while Southampton, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United also view him to be a potentially excellent addition.
Maitland-Niles is said to want a move as he hopes to break into the England squad for the European Championships, and he feels that could be difficult at Arsenal, where he is regularly kept on the bench.
If Arsenal do sanction a deal for Maitland-Niles, who is on a £35,000-a-week contract (Spotrac), it will have to be considered risky for Arteta’s side, though.
While the youngster may not be a permanent starter, his versatility makes him a useful squad player.
Maitland-Niles can play at full-back or in midfield, which means he covers a number of positions.
With the Premier League season so congested, injuries are likely to happen, and Arsenal may feel that Maitland-Niles is simply too vital to have as a squad player to let go.
If that is to be the case Maitland-Niles is said to be willing to stay professional, although he will then look to move on in the summer.
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