According to some ‘breaking news’ from Sky Sports, West Brom have agreed a loan deal for Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles – a player Steve Bruce was ‘interested’ in signing this month.
That said, it’s emerged the NUFC boss has opted for Gunners teammate Joe Willock instead, with The Telegraph reporting that the 21-year-old is ‘on the verge’ of signing at St James’ Park on loan.
Back to Maitland-Niles – an England international many Mags were keen to see us sign – Sky Sports report that he is now due to undergo a medical in London ahead of a move to the Hawthorns.
Here’s confirmation of the Baggies breakthrough from Rob Dorsett, who also confirms that Bruce opted to pursue Willock instead:
Many on social media have questioned why we haven’t looked to sign both, however Premier League clubs are not allowed to sign TWO players on loan from the same club.
Leicester and Southampton were strongly linked with a move for Maitland-Niles earlier today and deemed to be the favourites for his signature at one point, but it’s since emerged that Arsenal were NOT prepared to loan the 23-year-old to a direct rival.
It was also said that Southampton were unable to guarantee him starts in midfield – where as West Brom have agreed to play him in his preferred position.
Personally, I’d have preferred Maitland-Niles to Willock, however the latter will still be a decent addition and someone capable of adding drive, pace and dynamism to our usually one-paced midfield.
Now we’ve missed out on AMN, let’s hope the Willock deal goes through with no complications!
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How many games is a 21 year old likely to get here? Seems a stupid loan when we are in dire need of creativity in midfield, not another shirt warmer or potential addition to the U23 squad.
sickandtired(Quote)
straight in to partner hayden and shelvey, hendrick on the bench, lots of potential with this loan and it looks as if its for next season also so can really settle, the 2 longstaffs need to knuckle down and work harder they have both been **** this season, they thought they had made it when both getting in first team but it looks like they will be on the peripheral of the first team for quite a while, should have went on loan to get a bit more experience and game time
kev the mag(Quote)