Manchester United are reportedly showing an interest in versatile Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is on loan at West Bromwich Albion.
According to a report from the Daily Mail, Premier League giants Manchester United are considering a move for Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles once he returns from his loan spell at West Bromwich Albion when the season gets over.
A product of the Arsenal youth academy, Maitland-Niles has been on the Gunners’ books since 2003. The midfielder broke into the first-team under Arsene Wenger back in 2014, following which there was a loan spell away at Ipswich Town. The 23-year-old was slowly integrated into the first-team after that and he has gone on to represent the Gunners 121 times till date, registering three goals and seven assists in the process.
A central midfielder by trade, Maitland-Niles was largely used as a full-back during his time with the Gunners. This season, though, the England international found game-time hard to come by even in his makeshift position, leading to him signing for West Bromwich Albion on loan during the January transfer window.
Maitland-Niles, in a short period with the Baggies, has managed to do fairly well, playing in his preferred position in the middle of the park. However, with West Brom now relegated and the end of the season almost upon us, the 23-year-old will be back at the Emirates, where he seemingly does not have a future in the long-term.
Maitland-Niles has previously been linked with a move to Leicester City while Leeds United are also said to be keen on the Englishman. And now, Manchester United have also emerged as another prospective suitor for the Arsenal academy graduate.
The report states that the 20-time English champions view Maitland-Niles as an option at right-back, where they are currently lacking depth. Indeed, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been used in almost every game by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season having sent Diogo Dalot out on loan while Brandon Williams has had a dip in form after a breakthrough 2019/20 campaign.
With there being little in terms of cover for Wan-Bissaka in the right-back slot, Manchester United are looking to bolster that position this summer and have been linked with Lucas Vazquez, another makeshift right-back who enjoyed great success in the position this season at Real Madrid. And, as per the report, Maitland-Niles has also emerged as a viable target for the Red Devils.
Apart from Manchester United, Everton are also keen on signing Maitland-Niles while Southampton are in the hunt as well. It now remains to be seen if Manchester United do act on their reported interest in the 23-year-old Arsenal ace come summer.
