Back in the summer, both Sky Sports and the BBC reported that Steve Bruce was interested in signing Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
At the time, he was said to be available for £20m – a price we were no doubt reluctant to pay – however it’s emerged today from The Mirror that he’s just asked to leave on loan following a recent lack of game time under Mikel Arteta.
With Sky Sports stating that Newcastle were ‘monitoring developments’ on the versatile England international just six months ago, a potential deal until the end of the season would surely be a no-brainer given the position we now find ourselves in with just 4 days of the transfer window remaining.
Not only is he a former target who could be about to become available on loan, he can operate in several positions we are in need of strengthening – full-back (right or left) and centre midfield.
It would be no surprise at all if his name emerges in the next few hours as a new loan option for Newcastle.
That said, if his main reason for leaving is to better his chances of being called up to England’s squad for the Euros, I’d question whether a move to a Steve Bruce’s struggling Mags is something he’d be keen on when there’s bound to be plenty of interest!
Who knows, but this feels like a potential loan deal we should be all over and one that ticks a lot of boxes given what he could offer in areas we’re lacking in and our previous interest just a few months ago.
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Now HE is a good player, would love to see him at the Toon..
BillyTheFish(Quote)