Ainsley Maitland-Niles is reportedly wanted by West Bromwich Albion on loan for the rest of the season, as the Baggies look to bolster their ranks before the January transfer window shuts.
Maitland-Niles Wanted by West Bromwich Albion
Lack of Game Time at Arsenal
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, West Bromwich Albion are keen on signing the Maitland-Niles on loan from Arsenal for the remainder of the season.
However, an unnamed club in the top four of the Premier League is reportedly the preferred destination for Maitland-Niles, who has started just five Premier League games in 2020/21.
Whilst the Hale End graduate was integral in Arsenal’s FA Cup campaign last summer, he has found regular appearances hard to come by with manager Mikel Arteta largely employing a back four this season.
Having sacrificed the wing-back spot in which the youngster was so prolific in last term, his availability has piqued the interest of West Brom boss Sam Allardyce, who would welcome the flexibility of a player able to operate at full-back and in central midfield.
Arsenal are not thought to be keen on Maitland-Niles being loaned out to a club embroiled in a relegation battle, as Arteta could have plans to use him in the Europa League, with the north London side facing Benfica in the round of 32.
Maitland-Niles has found himself in similar situations over the past two transfer windows, most notably when Arsenal were forced to reject advances from Wolves over his signature.
Whether his future lies at the Emirates or elsewhere remains to be seen. As things stand, he’ll be desperate for some first-team action with the Euros approaching in the summer. His chances of selection remain slim, but, at his best, Maitland-Niles can prove many doubters wrong when handed the opportunity.
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