Ainsley Maitland-Niles has signed for West Bromwich Albion on loan from Arsenal until the end of the season.
West Bromwich Albion Sign Ainsley Maitland-Niles On Loan
Maitland-Niles Looking to Help West Brom Survival Challenge
West Brom have confirmed the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles on a loan deal lasting until the end of the current campaign.
Maitland-Niles was linked with a number of clubs, with the versatile 23-year-old searching for first-team football.
He will hope to contribute to West Brom’s survival efforts, with the club currently second-bottom in the Premier League.
West Brom Win Race for Maitland-Niles Loan
Newcastle United, Leicester City and Southampton were heavily linked with the Maitland-Niles, reports suggested.
The Southampton move fell through due to Ralph Hasenhüttl’s reluctance to play Maitland-Niles in his preferred position.
Maitland-Niles wanted to play as a central-midfielder, whilst Southampton had planned to deploy the Englishman as a wing-back.
Mikel Arteta Outlines Maitland-Niles’ Future
Leicester were also interested in bringing the player in, however, Arsenal were not willing to let Maitland-Niles join a rival in the race for European football.
In a meeting with the Arsenal boss, Mikel Arteta, Maitland-Niles was told he was allowed to go out on loan, but not to any of their competitors.
It was believed Leicester were Maitland-Niles’ favoured destination, with Brendan Rodgers looking for cover in midfield after injuries in the position.
Maitland-Niles made 20 appearances for Arsenal before joining West Brom.
Maitland-Niles Looks to Enter the England Squad Conversation
Maitland-Niles has played for England at all youth levels and made his senior international debut in September 2020.
Having been called up for every England squad since the start of the 2020/21 season, Maitland-Niles will be hoping the move to West Brom secure a place in the Euro 2020 squad.
England will face Croatia, Czech Republic and Scotland during the tournament group-stage in June.
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