Despite his brilliant performances against Manchester City and Chelsea, helping Arsenal win their first silverware under Mikel Arteta, Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been put up for sale.
One of Arsenal's recent academy success stories, the player has been at Arsenal since he was six and now has 100 appearances in all competitions. Whilst his versatility is viewed as a great strength, the player has made it no secret that he wishes to lock down a regular starting position, and prefers to play further up the pitch than the full-back role he's been tasked with for most of his career to date.
After initially failing to impress Arteta, his departure seemed a sure thing following the signing of right-back Cedric Soares. However, in the last few games of the season there appeared to be a shift in relationship between player and manager, as he starter Arsenal's most important games of the season. Arteta is reportedly now desperate to keep hold of Maitland-Niles.
It seems that the manager has been overruled by those higher up. With the hope that Maitland-Niles' departure can fund further incomings to the team, the board are willing to sanction his sale. Arteta seems like a man who knows how to get what he wants however, so don't totally rule out the academy graduate being an Arsenal player next year,
If he does go, though, he won't have a shortage of suitors. Here's four candidates to take him.
Source: 90min
