Arsenal and Ainsley Maitland-Niles do not share the same view about the club he should go on loan to, according to The Athletic.
Leicester City, Southampton and West Bromwich Albion are all reportedly interested in signing Maitland-Niles on loan from Arsenal before the January transfer window closes on Monday.
The report has added that Leicester would be the 23-year-old’s ‘destination of choice’ as he would get the chance to play in midfield, but the Gunners would like him to move to the Saints so that he can play at full-back.
“A significant sticking point is Arsenal’s desire for Maitland-Niles to operate at full-back if he makes a temporary switch — Southampton’s commitment on this is one of the reasons why the Gunners would like him to go there — but he is thought not to share that view,” states the report in The Athletic.
“Although West Brom have indicated a willingness to offer game time in both midfield and at full-back, Arsenal are not currently enthusiastic about him joining the Baggies.”
Big decision
Maitland-Niles – described as “a very useful player with great speed, technically gifted, a good passer of the ball” by Arsenal maager Mikel Arteta in Football.London in January 2020 – can operate as a full-back or as a midfielder, and it seems that he wants to play in the middle of the park.
It will be a big decision regarding the immediate future of the 23-year-old. If the England international wants to play as a midfielder, then it would be harsh of Arsenal to send him out on loan to operate as a full-back.
According to WhoScored, Maitland-Niles has made five starts and six substitute appearances in the Premier League and has played five Europa League games for Arsenal so far this season.
The youngster has played across midfield and at right-back and left-back this season, according to WhoScored, highlighting his versatility.
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