Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles before Thursday’s transfer deadline.
That’s according to TalkSPORT’s Alex Crook, who claims that the Magpies are now in the mix to sign the Arsenal midfielder.
The Gunners are keen to move the 25-year-old on this summer, who has not featured in any of Arsenal’s first four games this season. They have enjoyed a perfect start, while Maitland-Niles hasn’t even been named on the bench.
It looks likely that he will leave the Emirates before the transfer window closes, with multiple Premier League teams interested in his signature. And it appears that Newcastle are now one of them.
But this isn’t the first time the Magpies have been linked with the five-time England international.
Newcastle were offered Maitland-Niles last summer
Last summer was a bleak one for Newcastle. Joe Willock was the only senior arrival at St James’ Park, leaving Steve Bruce with a squad that desperately needed more quality.
However, there were plenty of players that they could have signed. But Mike Ashley’s unwillingness to spend stopped that happening.
There were multiple players offered to Newcastle in the remaining weeks of the summer transfer window, including Maitland-Niles.
The Telegraph reported last year on September 1st that the £52,000-a-week midfielder was one of seven players offered to Newcastle on loan. However, the club were unwilling to pay a fee for the temporary deal.
But that shouldn’t be a problem this time. While we aren’t throwing money around, the new owners have been much more willing to spend what is required. We’ve seen big money moves for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Alexander Isak.
While a deal for Maitland-Niles would be nowhere near expensive, he would represent the changing of the guard over the past 12 months.
Back then he would have been a welcome addition but was deemed too expensive to loan. Fast forward a year and the question is whether or not he’s good enough for Eddie Howe’s side.
The answer is probably yes given his versatility. He can play on the right of midfield or in the middle. He’s also played in defence on occasions.
That could make him appealing to Howe, who is still keen for reinforcements to arrive before the window closes.
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