Ainsley Maitland-Niles sends message to Southampton and other clubs

Arsenal’s Ainsley Maitland-Niles has sent a transfer plea to Southampton and other clubs ahead of transfer deadline day.

Media reports on Monday suggested that Everton had made an offer to take the 24-year-old on loan with an option to buy next summer but a deal is yet to be agreed.

Now Maitland-Niles has taken to Instagram to make it clear how much he wants a move away from Arsenal in this window with seemingly no chance of regular football at the Emirates. Saints were linked with a move for him by the Mirror back in May.

His Instagram post is shown below in a tweet from Athletic reporter David Ornstein.

Everton frontrunners but Southampton will be tracking situation

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It appears that Everton have made the first move for Maitland-Niles but there will undoubtedly be other clubs waiting in the wings. It is unknown whether Saints will be one of those but their reported interest from last January and earlier this summer suggests they would be.

The player has made it clear that he wants to spent time away from Arsenal this season and now it will depend which club is the right fit for him.

Maitland-Niles can play in a variety of positions and has been used as a central-midfielder, full-back and winger in the past and he could add a much-needed fourth central-midfield option Saints squad.

Everton are said to want him as a full-back so it will depend where the player sees himself getting most game time and playing in his preferred position. He would add some great competition with Saints, but will have to work hard earn his chance to play ahead of other players.

It remains to be seen where Maitland-Niles will end up but Saints boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has hinted that a central-midfielder will be signed if the right opportunity comes up.

The club are allowed to sign one more player on loan with Armando Broja already brought in on a temporary deal from Chelsea.