Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles Transfer Conundrum Revealed

Ainsley Maitland-Niles is closing in a move away this January, one that could spell the end of his Arsenal career on an initial loan move with an option or obligation to buy. As it stands, Leicester and Southampton are the two leading sides vying for his signature.

Having turned down a bid from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer that fell short of their £20m valuation, despite an apparent willingness to leave for Molineux in search of first team football, Ainsley Maitland-Niles was convinced to stay by Mikel Arteta and fight for his place.

Six months and and just five Premier League starts later there has been no success in the department. Whether that is down to the player or his manager doesn’t impact the final outcome, which is that he looks set to leave north London.

The Athletic first reported the news of top-flight interest in the 23-year-old from West Brom, a side who have since fallen out of the running, with Newcastle, Southampton and Leicester all still in with a shout. However, it is the latter two who are leading the charge given their respective standings in the league table and Maitland-Niles’ desire to be playing at a level that will see him keep his place in Gareth Southgate’s England setup.

Arsenal have big decisions to make over Ainsley Maitland-Niles future with Leicester and Southampton eyeing loan

Whatever deal takes Maitland-Niles away from Arsenal will be an initial loan move, although there is some intriguingly varied viewpoints on the matter.

Preferring a move to Champions League-chasing Leicester, Brendan Rodgers’ side have shown a willingness to add a buy option into any loan deal. The Gunners would prefer an obligation attached, yet hold some reservations considering they would be strengthening a direct rival.

There are some big decisions to make as, if any deal is a straight loan move, Arsenal want Maitland-Niles to be playing at full-back, where they see his long-term future. As per the player, he wants to play in his preferred central midfield slot.

Given the disparity between Arsenal and the academy graduate, it becomes impossible to foresee any long-term future for him at the Emirates, therefore a simple loan works only to benefit either Southampton or Leicester – and to the Gunners’ detriment. Sure, Maitland-Niles would earn minutes, but he’d return with six months taken off his contract with Arsenal only saving whatever wage money they’d have negotiated with his temporary club.

Thus, the obligation to buy option is important to them. As it stands, the Saints would be willing.