Report: Ainsley Maitland-Niles planning on Arsenal exit this summer

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The Telegraph have claimed that Arsenal midfielder Ainsley Maitland-Niles is planning to leave The Emirates on a permanent deal this summer – and three Premier League clubs are expected to be interested in the England man.

Maitland-Niles, 23, decided to leave Arsenal on loan in January due to a lack of game time – having only been used eight times in the Premier League by Mikel Arteta up until his move to Sam Allardyce’s West Brom.

He has since started the last seven Premier League games for West Brom – and now is planning on a permanent move away from North London. He was the subject of a £20million move from Wolves last summer.

This time around, Wolves, Leicester and Southampton are expected to be interested in the England international – while the report suggests Manchester United could need a player like him. He has a contract until 2023.

TBR’s view – Maitland-Niles needs to leave Arsenal this summer

If the midfielder is to maximise the potential he has, he needs to leave The Emirates. Getting the odd game, at right-back or left-back, is not going to get the best out of him – but going to a mid-table side would.

He needs a team where he will play in central midfield on a regular basis. Wolves would love to have a player like Maitland-Niles with Joao Moutinho getting older. Southampton need bodies, and Leicester is attractive to most.