Arsenal have rejected an offer for versatile midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, according to reports. Maitland-Niles is one of a number of players that the Gunners are trying to offload this summer in order to balance their finances.
Arsenal Turn Down Bid For Ainsley Maitland-Niles
Maitland-Niles to Leave Arsenal in Search of First-Team Football
Fellow Premier League side Wolves had a formal bid rejected by the North London side yesterday, according to The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
The West Midlands club made an offer of below £20 million however Arsenal turned this down as they feel the 22-year-old is worth more.
Two unknown German sides are also preparing bids for the former England youth international. According to The Times, Newcastle United are another club monitoring the situation closely.
Arsenal In Need Of Transfer Funds
Maitland-Niles is one of a number of players that look likely to be leaving the Emirates this summer.
Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac are two more of those unwanted players. The North London side have offered the Spaniard to PSG as they look to trim their squad. Whereas, Bosnian Kolasinac could leave on loan to German side Schalke.
This clearout is in order to give manager Mikel Arteta some much-needed funds in order to alter his squad. The FA Cup holders are about to sign Lille defender Gabriel Magalhães for a reported £30 million fee; it is believed that the 22-year-old completed his medical in the past few days.
If both Bellerin and Maitland-Niles leave then this will likely recoup the transfer fee spent on the Brazilian.
Maitland-Niles Leaving Arsenal to Play in Midfield
Since the arrival of Mikel Arteta last December, Maitland-Niles has found himself in and out of the Arsenal team. He featured for just 172 minutes for Arsenal in the Premier League since football returned.
Maitland-Niles did play in each of Arsenal’s last three FA Cup ties, as they lifted the cup once again, however, it is clear that the 22-year-old doesn’t just want to be a cup player.
Under Arteta, Freddie Ljungberg, Unai Emery and even Arsene Wenger, the Englishman has been predominantly used as a makeshift full-back. This has caused displeasure for the man that made his debut for the Gunners all the way back in 2014.
With reinforcements coming in across the Arsenal squad, Maitland-Niles may head to pastures new in order to play in his preferred position.
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