According to the Daily Mail, Atletico Madrid want to take Arsenal defender Ainsley Maitland-Niles on loan to deal with Kieran Trippier’s absence.
Trippier will be out for 10 weeks, a total of 13 games, having been given a worldwide ban for breaching betting regulations.
It’s claimed that Diego Simeone’s men are considering a move for Maitland-Niles, seemingly aiming to take him on loan for the second half of the season.
Atletico allegedly wanted him before Trippier’s ban was confirmed, but the news means they’re now ramping up their interest in the 23-year-old.
The report adds that Maitland-Niles is growing increasingly frustrated at his lack of playing time under Mikel Arteta, and may want to go.
Maitland-Niles has only started four Premier League games this season, despite being promised action in order to convince him to snub Wolverhampton Wanderers over the summer.
If Atletico offer him playing time in the Spanish capital, few would blame Maitland-Niles for being tempted by a move to the club.
Still, Arsenal surely won’t want to loan Maitland-Niles out having turned down cash for him over the summer, and will surely stand firm on his future.
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