West Ham United want Ainsley Maitland-Niles but Southampton are now really pushing to make sure they sign the Arsenal man.
The Hammers are desperate for reinforcements ahead of next week’s transfer deadline and have already signed Chelsea’s Emerson Palmieri this week.
Adding midfield competition now seems to be the priority, even after signing Flynn Downes from Swansea City this summer.
Lucas Paqueta and Hans Vanaken are just a couple of names linked in recent days, but West Ham could look a little closer to home with a move for Maitland-Niles.
West Ham United want Ainsley Maitland-Niles
The Daily Mail reported earlier this week that West Ham have discussed making a move to sign Maitland-Niles from Arsenal.
Arsenal are understood to be very keen on moving Maitland-Niles on before next week’s transfer deadline.
Mikel Arteta seems to have no plans for Maitland-Niles in the Arsenal first team and the time is right for him to move on.
Maitland-Niles prefers to play as a midfielder, which is what West Ham are seeking, but can also offer competition at right back.
The problem for West Ham now is that they face a major battle for Southampton if they want the Arsenal man.
Fabrizio Romano reports that Southampton are pushing to sign Maitland-Niles and are in talks over a loan-to-buy deal with Arsenal.
Romano adds that Southampton are ‘insisting’ on a deal to beat the competition to Maitland-Niles, which would include West Ham.
We would imagine that Maitland-Niles is being lined up to play as a midfielder for Southampton; they already have a star right back in Kyle Walker-Peters.
That will surely appeal to Maitland-Niles, who will be looking to settle down and get his career on track with his next move.
Unless West Ham come up with an offer in the final days of the window, it looks like that next move will be to Southampton.
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