AC Milan winger M’Baye Niang has reportedly put his transfer talks with Everton on hold due to a desire to play for Arsenal
According to a report by Calcio Mercato, AC Milan star M’Baye Niang has put transfer talks with Everton on hold since he is waiting for Arsenal to make an official offer to sign him. Although the Serie A giants decided upon a €15 million price-tag for Niang with the Toffees, it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will agree to the same.
The Italian club are understood to have communicated to Niang that he does not fit into their future plans but they are still in the market for a new winger. It does seem unlikely at this point that the Frenchman will stay back with AC Milan, but doing so might cause a massive reduction in his playing time.
The 22-year-old winger enjoyed a moderately successful loan spell at Watford during the second half of last season, but has struggled to maintain consistency at Milan. Niang played 11 times in the EPL last term, scoring twice and providing two assists.
Niang is under contract at the San Siro until 2019. Even though his loan with Watford included an option to buy, the French striker is believed to have opted out after Coach Walter Mazzarri left.
The youngster’s club of interest is Arsenal and the Gunners appear to be closing in on Lyon striker Alexandre Lacazette, but signing Niang can offer Arsene Wenger more options in attack.
However, while Niang is promising and a talented young player, there is the question of whether or not it is worth signing a player who was sent out on loan to Watford at a time when AC Milan could barely afford to let any player go. That does speak volumes of the level of his inconsistency and that is something Arsenal will have to keep in mind.
While he might be talented, it is largely unproven talent and his inconsistency does not help either, thus making it a gamble signing even for Everton. During his spell at Milan, the 22-year-old has already been out on loan at three different clubs – Montpellier, Genoa and Watford.
Neither Everton nor Arsenal are in the position to be able to afford the added responsibility of a player who has a reputation for being inconsistent since both clubs have to work towards performing a lot better in the upcoming season.
Everton manager Koeman does need reinforcements though since Romlelu Lukaku is poised to leave the club this summer. In that regard, Malaga striker Sandro Ramirez seems like a better option to join the Toffees this summer while Arsenal are likely to focus on bringing Alexandre Lacazette to their squad.
