TBR View: Arsenal have got to offload Ainsley Maitland-Niles, with Serie A clubs linked

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Arsenal academy product Ainsley Maitland-Niles has been linked with a move to Serie A giants Inter Milan and AC Milan – and The Gunners would be well-advised to cash in on the versatile player, if a reasonable offer is tabled.

According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Inter and AC both want to sign 22-year-old Maitland-Niles is a summer target for both Antonio Conte and Stefano Pioli, as the Premier League continues to become a scouting pool for the Milan clubs.

Ashley Young, Romelu Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Victor Moses and Christian Eriksen all joined Inter Milan this season, while Asmir Begovic has joined Milan. Now, both want Maitland-Niles.

The Gunners product has clocked up 91 senior appearances for the north London club, with the majority of his outings of late coming on the right side of defence – covering for Hector Bellerin while the Spaniard returned to fitness.

Naturally a midfielder, Maitland-Niles is way down the pecking order in the middle of the park behind Joe Willock, Mesut Ozil, Grant Xhaka, Lucas Torreira, Matteo Guendouzi and Dani Ceballos. He has no chance of getting a game in his favoured place.

At right-back, the signing of Cedric Soares has made Maitland-Niles third-choice right-back – and he may not even be that, if Calum Chambers returns to be considered as an option on the right side of the defence. Bellerin is obviously first choice.

So, with both Milan clubs interested in Maitland-Niles, a player that is well down the pecking order in his two favoured positions – Arsenal have got to offload their number 15, despite his contract expiring in 2023.

If a reasonable fee for Maitland-Niles is tabled, then Arsenal need to let Maitland-Niles go for the good of his career – and bring in some cash for his signature, which can be spent on bigger priorities.