Arsenal are likely to be busy both in terms of ins and outs this summer following another turbulent season on the pitch for the club.
Mikel Arteta is starting to improve results in 2021 vs. 2020 and with players going out, it allows for the Spaniard to bring in players that suit his style of play.
According to The Telegraph, amongst those who may leave this summer is Ainsley Maitland-Niles. The Hale End academy graduate came through and impressed in Arsenal’s run to winning the FA Cup last season.
His ambitions to play in midfield saw him manage a limited amount of game time at Arsenal this season and he was loaned out to West Brom. Now, according to the same report, the player realises that to play at the top level, he will need to settle for being a full back.
This could be due to the fact that Maitland-Niles has failed to shine in midfield whilst out on loan, admittedly in a struggling West Brom team.
Maitland-Niles has just two years remaining on his contract and Arsenal have no plans to give him a new one. That makes this summer a very likely end point for his Gunners career.
Arsenal are reportedly eyeing a new first choice right back, with Inter Milan’s Hakimi linked. That would be a significant move in the market from Arsenal and require plenty of investment.
Any sale of Maitland-Niles and perhaps Hector Bellerin, would help create a financial package that could tempt Hakimi.
Arsenal rejected a £15million bid from Wolves for Maitland-Niles last summer. Any bid this summer in excess of that, is likely to be accepted, given the players current situation.