According to media reports Saints have been in talks with Arsenal about signing Ainsley Maitland- Niles, with the player now in the last 12 months of his contract and seemingly feeling that his future under Mikel Arteta is bleak.

Saints have been linked with Maitland-Niles before, as far back as February 2021 they were linked to a loan deal but he ended up going to West Bromwich Albion.

A year ago he was persuaded by Mikel Arteta to stay and fight for his place at the Emirates, but in the first 21 Premier League games of the season he started just 2 games plus another 6 off the bench, but these appearances were limited and from November onwards a place on the bench as an unused sub was as good as it got.

That persuaded him he should move on another loan last January and he joined Roma in Serie A, but his time in Rome was no better, although he played a lot early in the loan period, he was once again an unused sub most of the time in the final months.

Now he is looking to leave Arsenal and Saints seem to be in the front of the queue if the rumour mill is to be believed.

Maitland-Niles is known for his versatility, with his pace and energy, he can play as a winger, central midfielder, full-back, and wing-back, though he prefers playing on the wing, describing it as "his natural position"

That is the type of player Saints like to sign and it is natural that we should be linked in that respect. given he

The good news is that he is in the last year of his deal and Arsenal risk losing him for nothing if he doesn't go before the end of this transfer window as he will turn 25 next week.

Arsenal do have some bargaining power in that they retain an option to extend that deal by 12 months, giving them an advantage in potential negotiations for a deal.

A year or so ago his value was around £16-18 million, but a lack of game time has seen that vlaue drop, hastened by entering the last year of his contract, that being the case Saints could get him for as low as £9 million, although if there are other clubs interested that could push up the price.

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WestSussexSaint added 21:43 - Aug 24 Would rather have Garner from Man U.
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derbydog added 22:08 - Aug 24 If you remember, his people annoyed Saints last time he was available and we walked. So I doubt we are really interested.
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YosemiteSaint added 06:22 - Aug 25 Insufficient amount of first-team football these past two years to make much of a difference anywhere in the Prem.
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underweststand added 06:31 - Aug 25 Seems to be the sort of player that everyone says "has promise" but somehow fails to deliver on a regular basis even when he's been out on loan with a chance to impress. Perhaps because he's been with a big London club, and looked good in his teens he got himself a big salary which he collects whether he's playing or just " bench warming" In that respect he's not alone in the Prem. but at 25 he should have "made it" by now. Can't say that I've seen enough football from him to make a definitive judgement, but if he'll cost c. £9 million and doesn't cut it, then they'll be small consolation in knowing that we've wasted far more on others in the past - with little return for the investment.

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Monksway added 09:10 - Aug 25 I thought he didn't want to come before because he likes to play in midfield and JWP and Ori had that covered. If we do get him or Garner it means that Ori is on his way to Spain. Rather keep Ori for another year personally.
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SaintPaulVW added 11:27 - Aug 25 Player no 50 that we are linked with or will be leaving. All seems to be chuck enough jelly at the wall and see what sticks. Fair enough to report it tho. Striker/PL experienced CB really needed, rest nice but not essential.
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NewburySaint added 13:20 - Aug 25 No thank you - didn't he turn us down a couple of years ago and went to West Brom instead, which went well him didn't it?! If we are after "emergency" full back cover we already have that in Djenepo and Payne. & if we are after more midfield cover, we surely have enough in the squad, and if not try to get James Garner instead.
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Saint4Life247 added 14:21 - Aug 25 I would much prefer Garner. He seems to be steadily improving - Plus the Man U fans seem to rate him highly. Whereas Arsenal fans are not overly bothered whether Maitland- Niles goes. Plus his development seems to have stalled If we can move a few of the deadwood players on, get Garner and possibly another forward then I think we will have done well - I really like the look of Sasa Kalajdzic but can't see it. Goncalo Ramos seems to keep being mentioned but not sure he'd come here. Shame the Liam Delap interest has dried up. I think he would have suited us

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GRIM added 22:04 - Aug 25 The reason Liam Delap interest has dried up is because he's joined his Dad at Stoke. I think it's a blessing that he's no longer available, we need a proven Premier goalscorer not a kid with potential.
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