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Arsenal Transfers: Ainsley Maitland-Niles edging closer to move away
By Adam Schultz
Ainsley Maitland-Niles is getting closer to sealing a move away from Arsenal, according to various reports.
The Arsenal career of Ainsley Maitland-Niles appears to be coming to an end. The 24-year-old versatile midfielder/defender is no longer a part of Mikel Arteta’s plans – was he ever? – and looks to be yet another player shipped out.
According to Ryan Taylor of the Daily Express (via @TalkingHighbury), several teams have sounded out Maitland-Niles. Fulham, AFC Bournemouth, West Ham, and two European sides have all registered interest in the 24-year-old. However, no bids have been forthcoming yet.
https://twitter.com/ArsenalFa8fuls/status/1562117857034608641?s=20&t=Xnapihe9cltCdYmtvlMt5g
As Arteta looks to focus more on outgoings than incomings, several players appear to have one foot out the Emirates door.
For Maitland-Niles, he never really established himself as a bonafide starter for the Gunners. His best position was always up for debate as we saw him play in the midfield to decent effect as well as being used as a back-up right-back at stages. However, neither position has suited him that well, with a slight edge to him as a midfielder.
It might be a case of getting whatever fee Arsenal can for the 24-year-old, as it is unlikely that any other signings are made before at least a couple of players exit.
Maitland-Niles, Hector Bellerin, and Nicolas Pepe are the three that are reportedly close to sealing moves away. Bellerin could have his contract terminated by mutual consent while Pepe’s loan move is nearing completion.
NEWS: West Ham want to sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles before the window shuts. Arsenal prefer to sell the player as he has one year left on his contract but West Ham want to loan the versatile gunner (@HITCsport) pic.twitter.com/0xC1oTixJ0
— Hammers Updates (@Hammers_Update) August 22, 2022
For Maitland-Niles, he needs regular football – something he won’t get at Arsenal this season. Despite the Gunners adding the Europa League to its schedule in 2022/23, it is clear that Arteta wants to improve his squad as a whole.
West Ham looks like the favourite to land his signature in a cut-price deal. It appears unlikely that Arsenal will play hardball with any team that shows an interest in his services as the cull looks set to continue.
Either West Ham, Fulham, or Bournemouth would be good options for the Englishman as at this stage of his career, he simply just has to be playing regular football.
Going by recent reports, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has, not one, but two feet out the Emirates door.