Everton are allegedly still waiting for a decision from Arsenal over their bid to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles in the final hours of the transfer window.
That’s according to The Telegraph (10:22am), who claim that Everton’s offer for Maitland-Niles is actually still on the table.
Everton tried to sign Maitland-Niles on Monday, and it looked like Arsenal had blocked the move given that Maitland-Niles took to Instagram to state that he wants to leave and play where he is valued.
The Daily Mail claim that an emergency meeting was held, and Maitland-Niles was told by both Edu and Mikel Arteta that he isn’t allowed to go.
The Telegraph now state that Maitland-Niles has been told that he won’t even be training with Arteta’s first team when he returns to training tomorrow.
That stance may give Everton some hope of a deal, with Rafael Benitez still keen to lure the 24-year-old up to Goodison Park.
Arsenal not even answering their bid suggests a final decision hasn’t actually been taken, and all possibilities are still open ahead of the deadline.
It seems completely bizarre to exile Maitland-Niles from the first team when Arsenal have an offer on the table, and this saga is becoming a mess.
Maybe Arsenal fear letting Maitland-Niles join a supposed rival in the table in Everton, but this situation needs resolving today as Maitland-Niles’ frustration rises.
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