Arsenal outcast Ainsley Maitland Niles is reportedly set for showdown talks with Mikel Arteta to sanction a late move to Everton.
According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Arsenal star Ainsley Maitland-Niles is pushing to join Everton on loan before the summer transfer window slams shut today.
The 24-year-old does not appear to be in favour at the Emirates and has come out publicly, stating he wants regular playtime. The player took to Instagram to voice his opinion at a move to Goodison park being blocked. Arsenal have responded by making him train alone, away from the first-team squad.
Maitland-Niles has not featured regularly for Arsenal since Mikel Arteta took over and even spent the second half of last season on loan at West Bromwich Albion. He is yet to feature for the club this season.
The player is keen to play and Everton could offer him just that. Rafael Benitez’s side have only two right-backs in their squad- the ageing Seamus Coleman and the still-developing Jonjoe Kenny. Maitland-Niles can do a job in the position and will offer more options to Rafael Benitez.
The player for his part is set to meet up with Arteta and request the move to Everton be approved. If approved, the Englishman will be moving from Arsenal to Merseyside initially on loan with the option to make it permanent next summer.
Maitland Niles’s latest antics on social media have not won him many friends at Arsenal. The Gunners have enough problems to deal with and do not need an unhappy player to add to it. A parting of the ways could be the best solution for all parties involved.
Whether it is related to Maitland-Niles or not, Arsenal have agreed a deal for Bologna star Takehiro Tomiyasu. The 22-year-old can play both as a centre-back and a right-back and was also linked with Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the summer. The Gunners, however, appear to have won the race to land him.
With Hector Bellerin also set to join Real Betis on loan, Arteta appears to be shaking up his roster at right-back. With Cedric Soares and Calum Chambers already at the club, Arsenal do have options even if they do let both Bellerin and Maitland-Niles leave.
The 24-year-old has played his hand and made it clear as to what he is seeking. Whether Arsenal can provide him just that or are willing to let him seek it elsewhere remains to be seen. Time will tell whether both sides have crossed a point of no return, as Everton await the final decision eagerly.