Ainsley Maitland-Niles planning to leave Arsenal at the end of the season

01 April 2021 22:45

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has signalled his intention to leave Arsenal at the end of the season amid growing interest from a number of clubs.

The 23-year-old was the subject of intense transfer speculation last summer, with Wolves lodging a £20m bid for the youngster.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been on loan at West Brom since January | Marc Atkins/Getty Images

However, a stellar display at full-back in the Community Shield win over Premier League champions Liverpool in August convinced Mikel Arteta to snub Wolves' advances.

But after that Maitland-Niles struggled to hold down a place in the Gunners' starting XI and was shipped out on loan to strugglers West Brom in January, having completed 90 minutes of league football on just four occasions so far this season.

The England international has been an ever-present in Sam Allardyce's side since securing a temporary move to the Baggies, and The Telegraph report he's now informed parent club Arsenal that he'll be leaving in the summer.

Maitland-Niles was handed his senior debut for the Three Lions last year and has won five caps for his country.

He was omitted from Gareth Southgate's squad for the March internationals and that may have driven his desire to leave the Emirates Stadium this summer in search of first-team football at a high-profile club.

Wolves are said to be keen to revive their interest in the Arsenal man this summer, while Leicester and Southampton are also monitoring his performances at the Hawthorns with a view to a possible summer move.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles looks set to leave Arsenal this summer | Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

The report adds that Maitland-Niles considers his primary position to be in midfield, though he accepts he may be forced to play at right-back if he wishes to join a top side.

While his versatility will prove an attractive proposition for most clubs, there's also the added bonus that he would be a homegrown player for any English sides competing in Europe.

The 23-year-old still has two years remaining on his deal at the Emirates, so Arsenal are unlikely to be forced into selling the youngster for any less than the £20m they rejected from Wolves last summer.

Source: 90min