Ainsley Maitland-Niles is set to leave Arsenal this summer in search of regular first-team football and has accepted his future lies at right-back.
Maitland-Niles signed on loan for West Brom during the January transfer window in a bid to secure more regular minutes in his preferred midfield position, the academy graduate having been used in a variety of positions with Arsenal including both full-back positions.
The 23-year-old’s performances at full-back saw him included in the England squad for the first time last year and he has since gone on to win five senior caps under Gareth Southgate.
However, after moving to West Brom he has fallen out of contention for a place in the Three Lions’ squad ahead of this summer’s European Championship and the Telegraph are reporting that the player has conceded his future lies in a defensive role.
Interest is expected to be high in the player this summer with Wolves having made a £20m offer for his services last summer, whilst Leicester and Southampton are also expected to make an approach at the end of the current season.
Arsenal are understood to be interested in signing a new right-back this summer and have been linked with Inter Milan’s Achraf Hakimi, with Maitland-Niles seemingly set to leave the Emirates after an 18-year association with the Gunners.
The youngster’s versatility is set to make him an attractive option for several Premier League sides, though it is believed teams higher up the table will value his talents primarily at full-back.
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