Report: Fulham and Bournemouth have joined Maitland-Niles race

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Arsenal expect to sell Ainsley Maitland-Niles before the transfer window closes, with the Daily Express reporting that Fulham and Bournemouth have joined the race to sign the 24-year-old.

Maitland-Niles has become a forgotten man at the Emirates. He endured a disappointing loan spell at Roma in the second-half of last season. And he has played no part in this campaign.

Reports this week claimed that West Ham have considered a move for Maitland-Niles. But they are not the only Premier League side keen on the England international.

According to the Daily Express, both Fulham and Bournemouth also want the versatile midfielder. Arsenal expect Maitland-Niles to leave. And he should be available in a cut-price deal due to the academy graduate being in the final year of his contract.

Fulham and Bournemouth have joined Maitland-Niles race

It will be bad news for Maitland-Niles if he remains at Arsenal beyond this window. It would certainly appear that he is only going to remain on the sidelines.

Fulham have already agreed a deal with Arsenal for Bernd Leno this summer. So they may be optimistic that they can now agree terms with Maitland-Niles.

West Ham can offer him some European football in the Conference League. But perhaps, a move to either Fulham or Bournemouth will present him with the clearest route to regular game-time.

It is a sad end to Maitland-Niles’ Arsenal spell. There have been times when he looked like a ‘fantastic‘ prospect.

But the writing appears to have been on the wall for some time. And it would surely be best for all parties if an agreement was reached.