---
title: "Everton: Blues react to reported Maitland-Niles interest"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-blues-react-to-reported-maitland-niles-interest/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-05-11T14:10:45Z"
modified: "2021-05-11T14:10:45Z"
---

# Everton: Blues react to reported Maitland-Niles interest

**Everton have shown an interest in Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to a report from the [Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9563881/West-Brom-identify-possible-manager-replacements-Sam-Allardyce-Chris-Wilder-option.html).**

They claim that the Blues have identified Maitland-Niles, currently on loan at West Bromwich Albion, as a right-back target.

Manchester United, Leeds United and Southampton are also credited with interest.

Maitland-Niles has however [expressed a preference](https://metro.co.uk/2021/03/11/ainsley-maitland-niles-tells-mikel-arteta-his-favoured-position-for-arsenal-14228448/) for playing in midfield.

### How has Maitland-Niles done at West Brom?

The 23-year-old has made [12 appearances](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/255169/Show/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles) for the now-relegated Baggies since his January loan switch.

He’s averaged 1.8 tackles, 0.8 interceptions, 1.3 clearances, 0.8 shots and 1.3 dribbles per 90 minutes (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/255169/Show/Ainsley-Maitland-Niles)).

Maitland-Niles is valued at [£16.2million](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/profil/spieler/285845) by Transfermarkt is about to enter the [final two years of his contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ainsley-maitland-niles/profil/spieler/285845) at the Emirates.

Everton may be in the hunt for a long-term Seamus Coleman successor this summer – it’s been reported that Norwich City’s Max Aarons is also under consideration, but he could cost as much as £30million (via [The Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/everton-weigh-up-deal-for-max-aarons-but-norwich-city-want-30m-3jwxgbq02)).

Fan feed [The Toffee Blues](https://twitter.com/EvertonNewsFeed/status/1392038034087026691) relayed the Maitland-Niles rumour, and here’s how fans reacted.

### These Everton fans urge club not to pursue Maitland-Niles transfer

**“He went to West Brom because he doesn’t want to play right back. I think we’ve given Arsenal enough money for players who aren’t good enough for them as well.”**

Credit: [@terrymcallister](https://twitter.com/terrymcallister/status/1392052279151366148)

**“Buying from Arsenal cast offs have never worked. Walcott and Iwobi being the latest 2.”**

Credit: [@Anthony20Chall](https://twitter.com/Anthony20Chall/status/1392038344964681730)

**“Iwobi Mk2”**

Credit: [@leapfrog200](https://twitter.com/leapfrog200/status/1392044007010754563)

**“Awful !!”**

Credit: [@AlwaysBlue7](https://twitter.com/AlwaysBlue7/status/1392083705842343941)

**“Don’t want him anywhere near our club.”**

Credit: [@MainManMina](https://twitter.com/MainManMina/status/1392073716750761984)

**“Waste of transfer… Carlo can’t rebuild the team with a player like this”**

Credit: [@Babby008](https://twitter.com/Babby008/status/1392081901670830080)

**“No , just Aarons plz”**

Credit: [@daf\_xf105](https://twitter.com/daf_xf105/status/1392059626775003141)

**In other news, [Fabrizio Romano delivered a concerning update on Aarons](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-transfer-rumours/everton-fans-react-to-fabrizio-romanos-transfer-update-on-max-aarons/).**