Following on from Friday’s Sky Sports report, the BBC have confirmed our interest in Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
The report confirms that we are ‘keen’ on the versatile 22 year old, claiming the Gunners are willing to sell the England U-21 star for a fee in the region of £20m.
That said, there is still no clarity as to whether we will approach Arsenal for a loan or permanent move – but you’d have to imagine that Mike Ashley won’t be willing to spend £20m of our £30m summer budget here, especially when a striker must take priority and won’t come cheap.
The BBC also state that Wolves and Everton are also interested in Maitland-Niles – who can play anywhere in midfield or at full-back.
This is our problem. We want to sign quality players to improve our squad, but it seems we’re not in the market for £20m signings and prefer loans, so have no chance of tempting Arsenal into a potential loan deal with an option to buy if the likes of Wolves or Everton are happy to come and pay up immediately for a permanent deal.
Hopefully, we are able to strike up a deal for 22-year-old as he clearly has a lot of potential.
A loan would be brilliant, but that seems a stretch when Premier League rivals may be prepared and able to match their asking price this summer – not next.
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