Report: Ainsley Maitland-Niles could stay at Arsenal if Bellerin is sold

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Arsenal may yet decide to keep Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the club this season, as long as Hector Bellerin gets the move away he craves.

Maitland-Niles is in the cluster of Gunners players who face an uncertain future at the club. But Bellerin is also in that group, and he has openly made his feelings known to the club that he wants a move.

Interest

Inter Milan have shown interest, as have Atletico Madrid. However, as yet, Bellerin has yet to see his wish granted as he enters the final two years of his £110k-a-week deal.

But the Daily Mail have reported that Bellerin could still be moved on in the final two weeks of the window. And with that, it could mean Maitland-Niles is retained as a back-up option at full-back.

Maitland-Niles, 23, has been close to leaving Arsenal before. Wolves had all but signed him at point, but he ended up joining West Brom on loan instead.

Should he remain in North London, it would be firmly as a reserve option for Arteta’s side. However, his versatility does mean the Spanish coach could see value in keeping him around.

TBR’s View: Maitland-Niles needs to go, he needs games

At 23, the Arsenal man needs to find a new home. That, or Arteta needs to put his trust in him and play him a bit more often.

Maitland-Niles is no longer a kid. He’s at that age where, unless he starts getting regular minutes, his career is in danger of hitting a brick wall.

Sadly for him, it seems Arsenal hold all the cards. But if he could choose, then he really should be pushing to get out the door.