West Ham United insider and reliable club source ExWHUemployee has now lifted the lid on a new transfer target in Arsenal left-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles.

The Lowdown: West Ham eye left-back...

Long-serving defender Aaron Cresswell is currently approaching the twilight phase of his career and it is believed that the Hammers wish to sign an additional left-back.

Searching for an heir to the Englishman, West Ham were believed to be closing in on a move for Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmieri, but that deal is now under threat due to personal terms.

As such, the east Londoners may now need to turn to alternatives as a long, gruelling Premier League season awaits for manager David Moyes and his squad.

The Latest; West Ham weigh Maitland-Niles move...

Taking to social media, insider ExWHUemployee has now claimed that Gunners left-back Maitland-Niles is on West Ham's agenda before September 1.

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He explained, when asked about the 24-year-old (via Twitter):

"One of a number of domestic loans being considered I believe."

The Verdict: Make the move?

Signing the versatile ace in a temporary deal would be quite a brilliant move by head of recruitment Rob Newman.

Still fairly young, Maitland-Niles is able to play in a huge variety of positions, including across midfield and on either flank defensively.

This could plug many holes in Moyes' squad and especially defensively with the Englishman also attracting real praise in the recent past.

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch even called Maitland-Niles 'tremendous' with manager Mikel Arteta also calling him a 'different player'.

The serious competition for starting places in Arsenal's first eleven could be reason for him not featuring often, but given West Ham's need for a left-back, a move across London may be ideal.