According to the Daily Mail, Everton are looking to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal this summer – but view him as a right back.
It’s claimed that Maitland-Niles is attracting interest ahead of the summer window having been out on loan at West Bromwich Albion.
The Baggies have been relegated to the Championship, meaning Maitland-Niles will not be back for next season.
Leeds United and Southampton are thought to be keen on Maitland-Niles, with Manchester United and Everton also keen.
There’s a catch though as the latter two view Maitland-Niles as a right back, despite the 23-year-old preferring to play as a midfielder – the role he featured in at West Brom under Sam Allardyce.
Arsenal don’t play him in midfield either, mostly using him as a right back or right-sided wing back when he is actually given a chance.
After coming up through the Arsenal ranks, it looks like Maitland-Niles will be let go this summer as he simply isn’t part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.
A move to Everton would surely be appealing, especially as he would be able to reunite with close friend and fellow ex-Arsenal academy ace Alex Iwobi.
Everton do want a right back this summer in order to compete with Seamus Coleman, and Maitland-Niles would be given a real shot at consistent playing time even if it isn’t in his preferred position.
At Leeds, Maitland-Niles could feature in a similar role to Stuart Dallas, either as a full back on either side or as a box-to-box midfielder.
Maitland-Niles will have to think long and hard about what he wants from his next club, but Everton do offer an appealing escape route.
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