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Southampton: Defensive transfer targets named ahead of deadline day

By Marc Walker

Arsenal's English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 14, 2021. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal's English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles runs with the ball during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Crystal Palace at the Emirates Stadium in London on January 14, 2021. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by ALASTAIR GRANT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Southampton have made contact with Arsenal and are looking to bring in full-back Ainsley Maitland-Niles ahead of Sunday’s transfer deadline day.

A report from the Athletic has revealed that Saints made have made the Gunners aware of their interest in the last 24 hours, whilst Hampshire Live confirm that the club have moved on from their pursuit of Brandon Williams.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein confirms in his report that Saints are viewed as an ideal destination for Maitland-Niles when compared to other suitors such as West Brom.

Hampshire Live also name Everton’s Jonjoe Kenny as a potential target given his availability but it appears that Maitland-Niles is number one in the current Saints shortlist.

Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) vies with Southampton’s English striker Danny Ings (Photo by CLIVE ROSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Arsenal’s English midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles (L) vies with Southampton’s English striker Danny Ings (Photo by CLIVE ROSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

More from Saints Marching

Maitland-Niles would add much-needed squad cover

Saints need cover in the full-back positions behind Kyle Walker-Peters and Ryan Bertrand, and this has only been added to by the impending departure of Jake Vokins to Sunderland on-loan.

Having moved on from Manchester United’s Brandon Williams after being told that he would not be loaned out this January, it appears that Saints are close to getting a target with much more positional flexibility.

Maitland-Niles plays a utility role at Arsenal and has played right-back, left-back, right-wing, left-wing and central-midfield in his 21 appearances for the Gunners this season.

In many ways, this is the player that Saints needed. Yes they need full-back cover, but they also have a lack of depth in central-midfield and would also benefit from a new face in attack. The 23-year-old covers all these positions and will be pushing for starts if/when he arrives.

Injuries have really hampered Ralph Hasenhuttl lately. Kyle Walker-Peters has a short-term problem, whilst the likes of Oriol Romeu and Jannik Vestergaard have had longer-term issues.

Adding Maitland-Niles alongside a gradual return for injured players could see Saints recapture some of the early season form that got them to the upper reaches of the Premier League table and push for a healthy finish come May.

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