Report: Arsenal set to increase price tag above £25m for player who’s ‘delighted’ Mikel Arteta

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Arsenal are reportedly set to increase Ainsley Maitland-Niles’ price tag above their initial £25million, according to The Sun.

The 23-year-old’s future at the Emirates Stadium has been the subject of speculation this summer, with fellow Premier League side Wolves said to be keen on his services.

As reported by The Sun, Wolves had a £15million bid rejected for Maitland-Niles, who joins up with the England squad today for the Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark.

The report claims that Arsenal were already demanding at least £25m for the player before his man-of-the-match performance against Liverpool in the Community Shield on Saturday.

It is believed that the Gunners are having second thoughts and are set to raise their asking price even higher after Maitland-Niles was added to the senior England squad on Saturday evening.

The versatile player, reportedly on a £35,000-a-week contract until 2023, has also been linked with Newcastle United.

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Maitland-Niles’ future has been a talking point for much of the summer, the player going into the transfer window off the back of a stunning FA Cup final display that was lauded by supporters.

Likewise, his performance against Liverpool in the Community Shield showed that he definitely has what it takes at the top level.

Speaking after the win over the Reds, Arteta was quoted by Goal.com as saying: “The way he’s playing at the moment shows me that he can do it.

“His mentality, the way he is going about every single detail for the preparation of a football game is much better than before.

“I’m delighted and very happy for him as he’s changing a lot of things around him to become the player that he can be.”

Arsenal definitely have a great prospect on their hands but if they get a huge bid for him, could that prove tempting in terms of raising funds to bolster other areas of the squad?