Arsenal are reported to be in advanced talks with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the transfer of Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
There had had been rumours that the young academy product would seek a move elsewhere to gain more first team opportunities. Maitland-Niles was a main stay in the team during Head Coach Mikel Arteta’s early days at the helm, featuring at right back with some impressive performances, especially in the 2-0 victory over Manchester United in early January.
As things progressed he became increasingly sidelined which gave birth to rumours of his exit, though he was given a start in probably Arsenal’s two most important games of the season (the semi-final and final games of the FA Cup against Manchester City and Chelsea respectively), an opportunity he grabbed with both hands. He ended the season making 32 appearances across all competitions.
This recent news has therefore come as a surprise to some, as it seemed that Mikel Arteta trusted him and wanted him around. However, there could be other reasons why this transfer is happening.
Arsenal are in the process of rebuilding having fallen further behind their rivals in recent seasons. This rebuild will therefore require that some new signings are brought in. the challenge however is the limited funds at the clubs disposal. They will have to move some players on to free up funds.
The names that have come up in recent times included the likes of Shkodran Mustafi, Socratis Papastathopoulos, Mohamed Elneny, Rob Holding, Callum Chambers, amongst others. It is obvious that none of these players can command any significant transfer fees. It therefore makes sense at around £20million arsenal are willing to negotiate a transfer for Maitland-Niles. They need all the money they can get if they are to achieve their transfer targets.
The concern for some arsenal fans however will be the implications if this transfer actually happens. As observed from last season, Maitland-Niles is a very versatile player. He has played at right back, left back, right midfield, left wing and right wing in his arsenal career.
Another concern is the fact that in recent years Arsenal have let players go, and have seen them transform into “superstars”. Serge Gnabry and Jeff Reine Adelaide who faced each other in the Champions League semi-final, readily come to mind.
However, there are plenty of others who have not been missed by the club at all. Allowing young academy players to leave is a risk that all clubs take. It could prove to be the right decision or blow in their faces. Hopefully, for Arsenal’s sake, it is the former and not the latter.
