Ainsley Maitland-Niles to leave Arsenal in summer transfer window

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has decided to leave Arsenal in the summer when his loan move at West Brom concludes at the end of the season.

It’s not the biggest shock we’ll hear coming out of north London, as Ainsley Maitland-Niles all-but confirmed his future plans once he put pen to paper on a move to the Baggies as opposed to Southampton in January.

The Saints wanted to take the Hale Ender on loan with a view to potentially earning a regular spot at right-back, while relegation fodder West Brom were willing to offer him a chance to play in his preferred midfield role.

With the latter being his key desire, league position and style of play came second in the 23-year-old’s thinking. Whether wrong or right, foolish or smart, Maitland-Niles can’t be accused of not sticking to his guns.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles makes Arsenal summer exit decision with Wolves, Leicester City, Southampton and Manchester United linked

Operating as a No. 8 under Sam Allardyce his appetite has been firmly whetted, and now the Telegraph have revealed his mind has been made up on an Arsenal departure.

Interestingly, it’s added that Maitland-Niles has also come to terms with the fact the clubs higher up in the table see him as a right-back and not a midfielder, which could play a big part in is decision come the summer. He may have to sacrifice his preference on occasion to secure the ‘bigger’ move.

As for where that could be, Wolves, Leicester City and Southampton are those credited with interest, and even Manchester United could be keen as they look to strengthen at full-back and would prefer homegrown players to match Premier League quotas.

He has no place under Mikel Arteta anymore, with Cedric Soares, Hector Bellerin and Calum Chambers already keeping the position well stocked.

Bellerin looks set to leave the club and if so Arsenal will purchase another option, thus in any eventuality there is no place for Maitland-Niles to return to north London and nail down a starting berth. In midfield, more bodies will be added, too.

Having turned down £20m in the previous summer, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Arsenal to command a similar fee. Maitland-Niles is young and English, while his versatility makes for value of money.

He could be an Arsenal right-back. He chose otherwise, thus good luck to him.