Soccer Football - Pre Season Friendly - 1. FC Nuremberg v Arsenal - Max-Morlock-Stadion, Nuremberg, Germany - July 8, 2022 Arsenal's Ainsley Maitland-Niles in action REUTERS/Lukas Barth
West Ham United are one of the Premier League clubs interested in Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles and the versatile defender has been put in the shop window, according to reliable journalist Ryan Taylor.
The Lowdown: Not in Arteta’s plans
After spending the second half of last season on loan at AS Roma, Mikel Arteta has now made it clear that the 24-year-old is not a part of his team’s plans this season.
With his Gunners deal expiring next summer, the former England international will be available at a cut-price, with the north London club reluctant to let him leave on a free transfer this time next year.
As a result, a number of clubs have since expressed an interest in attaining his services.
The Latest: Taylor’s news
Taylor has shared news of emerging interest in the Arsenal man, with the club willing to sanction a deal to let him go.
Taking to Twitter, the reliable journalist claimed:
“Arsenal prepared to offload Ainsley Maitland-Niles before Sep 1 deadline – preferably on permanent deal although new contract (deal until 2023) & loan still possible. West Ham, Fulham & Bournemouth + European clubs showing interest.”
The Verdict: Great signing
Towards the end of 2021, Arteta was full of praise for the defender: “I see a different player in terms of his urgency, his commitment. We made a decision that we wanted him to stay because he was going to be useful. He has a huge talent where he’s versatile enough to adapt to almost any position on the pitch.”
At just 24-years-old, Maitland-Niles has already made 87 Premier League appearances in six different positions, so while Arteta seems to have now changed his mind about the player’s future, the comments about his versatility certainly ring true.
Therefore, if West Ham are able to secure his services for a cut-price, they would be doing shrewd business by obtaining his wealth of experience, adding depth to multiple positions with one swoop.
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