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.