Everton make contact over potential Ainsley Maitland-Niles loan deal
Everton have made an approach to sign 23-year-old Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to the Daily Mail.
Sky Sports journalist Ben Grounds reported via his personal Twitter profile last night [Friday, 28/08/21] that the Merseyside club wanted to sign him this summer, but the Daily Mail’s latest update suggests there has been a development in the potential loan deal.
It is also claimed that the five-cap England international, who can play a variety of positions across midfield and defence, is seeking an Emirates Stadium exit this summer to secure more game time.
Gunners crisis
Maitland-Niles made a rare Premier League appearance for Mikel Arteta’s side today, although by the look of him on the sideline, he wasn’t particularly thankful for it as the Spaniard sent him with his side 4-0 down at Manchester City.
The home side added to their lead to secure a 5-0 win, and that could now be Maitland-Niles’ final outing for Arsenal in the 2021/22 campaign.
There are sure to be a whole host of suitors after the player dubbed “phenomenal” by former Leeds United goalkeeper Paul Robinson last season [Football Insider].
Maitland-Niles impressed on loan at West Brom during the second half of the 2020/21 campaign, despite the Baggies’ relegation, and looks to have caught the eye of Rafa Benitez and the Blues board.
Before he made the move to The Hawthorns, Maitland-Niles made 11 Premier League appearances during the first half of the season, while he picked up the Man of the Match award against Everton’s Merseyside rivals Liverpool in the Community Shield [The FA].
Were he to arrive at Goodison Park this summer, he would likely provide competition for Abdoulaye Doucoure in midfield and cover for Seamus Coleman at right-back.
In other Everton news, the Blues are confident of signing this record-breaking striker amid an approach to his Saudi-owned club.
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