---
title: "Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls interested in Ainsley Maitland-Niles"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/brighton-transfer-target-ainsley-maitland-niles/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "Arsenal Football Club"
published: "2020-07-22T11:20:55Z"
modified: "2020-07-22T11:20:55Z"
---

# Brighton & Hove Albion: Seagulls interested in Ainsley Maitland-Niles

**Brighton are reportedly interested in a summer move for versatile Arsenal player Ainsley Maitland-Niles.**

The [Evening Standard](https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/arsenal-transfer-news-ainsley-maitland-niles-wanted-by-brighton-a4504121.html) reported that the 22-year-old has attracted interest from the Seagulls, with the right-sided player apparently keen on leaving the Emirates Stadium despite having three years left on his current contract and despite Gunners manager Mikel Arteta wanting him to stay.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Maitland-Niles, who is valued at £13.05m by [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/profil/spieler/285845), has [risen through the academy ranks](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/transfers/spieler/285845) at Arsenal to feature [nearly 100 times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845/verein/11) for their first team, although he has [never been able to command a regular starting position](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845) at the Emirates.

He has played [mainly as a right-sided midfielder](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845) during his career so far, which he has publicly cited as his preferred position, although he has [regularly been deployed at right-back](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdaten/spieler/285845) this season by Arteta. This has perhaps led to the 22-year-old rarely being able to contribute to goals – he has only scored [three times](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845/verein/11) and provided [five assists in 98 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845/verein/11) for the Gunners.

\[freshpress-poll id=”310584″\]

Where Maitland-Niles is strong, though, is in terms of winning the ball back for his team, averaging 2.1 successful tackles per game, and being economical in possession, with a respectable passing success rate of 81.8% (as per [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/255169/Show/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles)).

He could help to fill a void in Brighton’s squad in that they have a [sparsity of right-sided midfielders](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/kadernachposition/verein/1237), with nominal central players such as [Aaron Mooy](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/aaron-mooy/leistungsdaten/spieler/123951) and [Pascal Gross](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/pascal-gross/leistungsdaten/spieler/82873) occasionally shifting out to that side. By contrast, Graham Potter has plenty of depth in the right-back area with Tariq Lamptey and Martin Montoya as bespoke options, while Bernardo and Adam Webster can cover there if needed (as per [TransferMarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/brighton-amp-hove-albion/kadernachposition/verein/1237)).

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

A potential move to the Amex Stadium could be mutually beneficial for Maitland-Niles and Brighton. The Seagulls have a shortage of right-sided midfielders, while the 22-year-old would likely get more game-time in a midfield rather than a right-back role given the make-up of Potter’s squad.

Also, with the Arsenal man [able to operate in a variety of positions](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/285845), his versatility could come in very useful for Albion if he makes the move to Sussex.

***Brighton fans, do you think Maitland-Niles will come to the Amex this summer? Give us your views in the comments section below!***